Intelligence gathering will stop INEC offices’ attacks — Ex-CP

Security experts have claimed that the increased number of attacks on the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in several states is a result of Nigerians’ fear of the upcoming elections.

In the past four years, the commission has recorded 50 attacks on its premises across 15 states, according to information recently made public by INEC.

Imo State has the most attacks on INEC facilities, with 11, followed by Osun with 7, Akwa-Ibom with 5, Enugu with 5, Ebonyi with 4, Cross River with 4, Abia with 4, Taraba with 2, Borno with 1, Ogun with 1, Lagos with 1, Bayelsa with 1, Ondo with 1, and Kaduna with 1.

A retired Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, who spoke to our correspondent on Tuesday, noted that, aside from poor security intelligence, the identification of sponsors by security agencies will help curb the rising attacks, noting that those who do not want the election to hold are responsible.

Ojukwu said, “The attacks have occurred too often; by now, security agencies should have read the modus operandi. That appears not the case

“Most of the attacks were launched from outside the INEC premises. This suggests that the target ought to have been hardened. By providing external cover, we deny the attackers the opportunity to mess up the system. Even if they are not denied opportunities, the presence of security outside could delay and deter them.

“There is an apparent insufficiency in intelligence. This suggests a disconnection between the security agencies and the community. The attacks are not spontaneous but planned over time.

“Also related to poor intelligence is the fact that the sponsors of the attacks may not have been identified, except for the usual blanket finger-pointing by IPOB/ ESN.

“There could be other groups and persons not happy with the politics of Imo State, or disgruntled elements seeking revenge or a pound of flesh, or plain mischief makers trying to ruffle feathers.”

Another security expert, Chidi Omeje, said, “We cannot just say that we are helpless. The government cannot be helpless. Those who stated that they did not want the election to take place may be responsible for the increasing attacks on INEC facilities.

“Also, people seem to have lost that sense of ownership. There is no robust concern about what is happening to INEC facilities. People are giving up easily to what is happening to INEC. They tend to say that it does not bother them.

“These signs show a society in distress. If the electoral process is not secured, there cannot be a democratically elected government.”