FG uncovers plans to use female suicide bombers during election

THE Federal Government said it had uncovered plans by some unscrupulous Nigerians to hijack and hand over Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to female suicide bombers to cause havoc in the February elections.

Mr Mike Omeri, Coordinator, National Information Centre, who disclosed this on Thursday while giving update on the security situation in the country, therefore, called on the people to remain vigilant.

“Recent intelligence reports indicate that some unscrupulous Nigerians have perfected plans to surreptitiously collect, buy or steal the PVCs of female voters.

“They will then hand over same to female suicide bombers and create access for them into polling centres where they will detonate bombs and kill unsuspecting voters.

“By this information, therefore, Nigerians, especially female voters, are warned to remain vigilant and also jealously guard and preserve their PVCs.

“This is to avoid the possibility of their PVCs being lost to these bad elements who will put them to untoward use,’’ Omeri said.

On the fight against insurgency, Omeri attributed the recent successes recorded by troops in the North- East to the “country-to-country’’ bilaterial agreements entered into by Nigeria with its neighbours.

He also attributed the successes to the enhanced coordination of operations by the Nigerian troops.

The coordinator said that the modalities for the operation of the 7,500 AU-backed multinational force to tackle the Boko Haram sect was being worked out at a summit in Cameroun on Thursday.

“In addition, the Chadian Chief of Defence Staff is currently in Nigeria to consolidate discussions on trans-border operations with his Nigerian counterpart,’’ he said. (NAN)