Security has been primed and vigilance raised a notch to contain fall-outs of the elections, following fears of instability after May 29.
A huge intelligence operation that would herald a security clampdown is underway to identify and keep in sight the activities of those opposed to President-elect, Umar Yar�adua, and his Deputy, Goodluck Jonathan.
Sources confided in Abuja on Wednesday that the security agencies are not sitting idle, having captured the unfolding events in an Intelligence Estimate that points to possible instability after May 29.
The operation is co-ordinated by the national security adviser, with the State Security Service (SSS), the military, and police playing key roles.
According to the sources, the Directorates of Security and Enforcement, Intelligence and Operations in the SSS, the Defence Intelligence Agency in the military, Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) in the police, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and foreign intelligence are also involved.
The operation started last week and would involve both electronic and physical surveillance of those perceived as likely to threaten internal security and economic interests.
Also part of it is the enhancement of security around Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) and eminent personalities, especially those in danger of harm from adversaries.
SSS Head of Public Affairs, Ado Mua�azu, confirmed that the agency has “stepped up intelligence gathering to uncover groups and individuals who would do everything possible to instigate violence, because this would undermine the country�s stability and democracy.
“The SSS is equally concerned with the management of elections losers� perception, with the ultimate aim of prevailing on their supporters to refrain from violent reactions. The Service has identified groups that are trying to subvert the process and has taken stern action on them. Be that as it may, genuine protests would be allowed.
“We have our code of conduct, with regard to what is expected of us, pre-elections, during elections and post elections. The code of conduct pre and during elections was adhered to, strictly. Now the Service is concerned about post-elections.
Police Headquarters Public Relations Officer, Haz Iwendi, explained that “security is a continuous process. Our goal is to ensure a hitch free transition.”
The military component has since been activated with the deployment of troops in vital installations as well as the intensification of intelligence gathering in military formations to fish out those with the mind set of �the need to intervene�.
A source who did not want to be named confirmed that “an assessment of the political situation, viz-a-viz its implications on security, before and after the elections, were thoroughly analysed in the current Intelligence Estimate, and the appropriate authorities were advised.
“The decision to involve all the security apparatus is to ensure that envisaged disagreements do not adversely affect the safe conduct of business and other activities after May 29 and beyond.
“All security agencies have been tasked, from protection and access control, to vital installations and Politically Exposed Persons, as well as profiling and surveillance of persons or institutions, which activities constitute security threats.”
Opposition parties and civil society groups have rejected the elections, fueling fears of instability after the inauguration of the next administration.
The anxiety has heightened with the call by Ohaneze on the South East not to recognise those elected through fraud.
Last week, Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin-Luther Agwai, cautioned senior military officers not to get involved in election disputes when he met with them in Abuja.
One attendee said he reiterated that the military always fares better in a civilian democracy, apparently to discourage officers who may harbour the need to intervene.
“He told us to stay away from politicians who may want to take advantage of the situation to get the military involved in their post election disputes.”