The Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, has urged personnel of the service to maintain neutrality before, during, and after the forthcoming general elections.
He also advised them to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that the elections are peacefully held.
A statement by the service spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, on Monday said Bichi stated these at a three-day workshop for state directors and heads of institutions.
It partly read, “The Department of State Services at its National Headquarters, Abuja, held a four-day strategic workshop for its state directors of security and heads of institutions.
“The workshop was part of the service’s preparation for the general elections. The service reviewed the security situation in the country and assured INEC of its support, which is in line with the President’s pronouncement to the world to bequeath a free and fair election.
“The DG used the occasion to reiterate the need for professionalism and neutrality of personnel in the discharge of the service’s mandate before, during, and after the general elections. Of note was that at the end of the strategic workshop, participants pledged to work in collaboration with sister agencies, INEC.”
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was quoted as having assured the audience of the commission’s determination to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
