Armed operatives of the
Department of State Security Service are currently at the Abuja
residence of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir
El-Rufai, trying to force their way in to arrest the former minister, Mr.
El-Rufai has told PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr.
El-Rufai is currently not at home but he said he would rush back home after
picking his children from school.
The SSS
had on Thursday invited Mr. El-Rufai, the Deputy National Secretary
of the opposition All Progressives Congress [APC] in connection with a
statement credited to him that there might be violence if the 2015 general
elections were not free and fair.
The
former minister made the comment while speaking at the Transformed to
Transform, T2T Nigeria, Conference and Career Fair, a leadership and
empowerment initiative for the National Youth Service Corps members in
Abuja on Wednesday.
He was
reported to have said the 2015 elections could be marred by riots and other
forms of violence that might lead to loss of lives and properties unless the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security agencies
ensured they were free.
The
former minister however refused to respond to the SSS’ invitation on the ground
that he had a pending suit against the agency over his detention in a hotel in
Awka, Anambra State, during the governorship election in that state
last November 16.
He also
told the Director General of the Service, Ita Ekpeyong, that he was willing to
meet with him in his home or office or that in the alternative the SSS should
produce a warrant of arrest.
Spokesperson
of the SSS, Marylyn Ogar, declined comments when contacted by PREMIUM TIMES
Wednesday night.
But she
had earlier issued a statement Thursday warning those making
provocative statements ahead of the 2015 general election to desist from such
or face the full weight of the law.
Ms.
Ogar said the attention of the service had been drawn to incessant provocation
statements by some Nigerians threatening violence ahead of the election. She
did not mention any name
“Such
comments are offensive, misguided and directed at stirring hate among
Nigerians,” she said.
“This
service and other law enforcement agencies have the mandate to protect the
country and its citizens.
“We,
therefore, warn all subversive elements that are bent on promoting divisive and
disruptive agenda to refrain from such as the full weight of the law shall
henceforth be brought to bear accordingly.”
She
urged Nigerians to remain law abiding and assist security agencies in ensuring
the safety of all
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