Abuja- The Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), has pledged to support Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, credible and non-violent elections.
This is contained in a communiqué on its first meeting for 2015 in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade and Mr Emmanuel Okeh, Chairman and Secretary respectively.
The forum also pledged to remain professional, non-partisan and apolitical at all times, especially during the February general elections.
According to the communiqué, its members will continue to ensure that press statements and official pronouncements of individual members and their organisations remain professional, non-partisan and apolitical at all times.
It stressed the need for efficient and effective inter-agency collaboration, adding that its members had resolved not to be distracted by blackmail and intimidation in carrying out their statutory duties.
The forum reassured law abiding Nigerians of the preparedness of its members to ensure safety of their lives and property before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
“The forum encouraged security consciousness among the citizens by being vigilant all the time and emphasised the need for the public to report suspicious movements, objects or suspects to relevant authorities.
“Concerning media practitioners, FOSSRA cautioned against undue sensationalism and unethical journalism, emphasised the need for media executives, especially editors, to ensure fairness, balanced and objectivity on their platforms.
The spokespersons also cautioned politicians to avoid making reckless statements and inciting comments.
The forum also called for the cooperation of religious and community leaders in sensitising their subjects and followers on the need to shun violence and thuggery.
Also in the communiqué, was an appeal to Nigerians to strive always for the promotion of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, orderliness and brotherliness.
The forum further reassured Nigerians of its readiness to remain neutral, non-partisan and professional before, during and after the general elections.
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The forum said “all security agencies are currently undergoing training, monitoring and mobilising required logistics to guarantee peaceful and successful general elections.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of FOSSRA include spokespersons from Defence Headquarters, Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Other members are, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The membership also includes Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). (NAN)
