REALLY ? Politicians already stockpiling arms for 2019 polls –Security chief

This is serious......Security agencies will, in 2017, step up investigations into intelligence reports indicating that some politicians are already stockpiling arms ahead of the 2019 elections.

A top security chief, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, also said Nigeria burst an impending terrorist attack on the United States six months ago.

The source, a leader of one of the security organisations in the country, added that the agencies, including the Department of State Services, had started the second phase of the war against Boko Haram by dispatching their men after fleeing members of the sect.

The security source stated that the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies were worried about the desperation of politicians and their disposition to violence.

He believed that politicians were more dangerous than the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Politicians are taking politics to a dangerous terrain. Many of them are more dangerous than Boko Haram. They are acquiring weapons and sharpening their knives ahead of the 2019 elections.

“Security agencies will continue to investigate and check them because there is no country we can call our own. The media should assist in checking the politicians,” he stated.

The security chief also said Nigeria’s war against the Boko Haram had yielded positive results.

He added that between five and seven nations consulted law enforcement agencies, particularly the DSS, for assistance.

According to him, it was through such assistance that the security agencies were able to burst an impending terrorist attack on the US six months ago.

He said the United States President, Mr. Barrack Oboma, commended the agencies and the country for the achievement.

He stated, “Six months ago, we burst a terrorist attack on the US. The US President wrote to commend us.”

The US embassy could not be reached for comment on Tuesday as it did not respond to official inquiries on public holidays.

The security source said the law enforcement agencies did not celebrate the feat because some Nigerians could dismiss it, saying the agencies should concentrate on terrorism in Nigeria.

The source added that the DSS had arrested a man he described as the most wanted terrorist, who was eliminating expatriates in Nigeria.

He said the DSS was ahead of the nation in intelligence gathering, which he noted, informed its concern on the politicians’ latest target of stockpiling arms ahead of the 2019 polls.

On the economy, the source said recession was not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that the situation in some nations was worse.

He described Nigeria as a great nation, but said the country was facing increasing challenges.

As part of the second phase of the war against Boko Haram, he assured Nigerians that the security agencies would fish out fleeing Boko Haram members.

Calling for the cooperation of all Nigerians, he argued that a proposed $2.3m foreign investment was shifted from June 2016, to 2017 because of a report.

He dismissed reports that there was rivalry between security agencies, particularly the DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The security source, who did not comment on the DSS report on the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, described the commission as an off-shoot of the DSS.

The Senate had, two weeks ago, failed to confirm the appointment of Magu, citing a report by the DSS.