The Nigerian government said it is aware of plots by subversive elements to use the currency redesign issue to create unrest before and during the 2023 elections.
The National Security Adviser, NSA Babagana Monguno said that security agents have been directed to deal decisively with such persons if identified.
He raised the alarm during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security hosted by INEC..
Monguno, represented by Sanusi Galadima, blamed electoral violence at campaign rallies on “political actors and their sponsored thugs.”
The NSA said: “There is an escalation of violence during electioneering across the country. This is in spite of the peace accord endorsed by all the presidential standard bearers.
“This ugly trend is created largely by the attitude of political actors, their sponsored thugs and other unpatriotic elements. This has further hampered the efforts of security and intelligence agencies to effectively neutralise the prevailing security situation across the country.
“It is instructive to state that government is very much aware of plots by domestic subversive elements and their external collaborators to use the current socio-economic climate in the country due to well-intended government policies to organise civil unrest during the election.
“In this vein and in line with Mr President’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition of political power to a democratically elected government through a free, fair and credible election, security agents have been charged to ensure lawful deployment to deal decisively with any individual or group involved, no matter how highly placed.”
INEC Chairman Yakubu said the commission was encouraged by the assurances of security agencies, especially the Police.
A revised code of conduct and rules of engagement for security personnel on election duty was unveiled at the meeting.
