The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested suspects allegedly linked to a plot to attack ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this at the commission’s South-East Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 general elections in Enugu.
According to INEC’s Daily Bulletin, the commission had identified potential security threats to its ad hoc personnel, particularly corps members, and taken steps to address them.
Amupitan said the suspects would soon be prosecuted following investigations by the DSS.
He added that INEC planned to convene a security conference to address emerging threats and other election security concerns.
The chairman said the commission was working with security agencies at the national and state levels through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He said INEC was also using its Election Risk Management (ERM) tools to identify potential threats and guide its security planning.
Amupitan identified declining public trust, voter apathy and the spread of misinformation and disinformation as major challenges ahead of the polls.
He warned that fake news, unverified reports and deepfake videos could spread rapidly online and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
He said INEC would prioritise transparency, timely communication and strict adherence to operational guidelines at polling units to address these concerns.
The chairman also warned electoral personnel against partisan conduct, negligence, extortion and other forms of misconduct, stressing that such actions would not be tolerated.
Citing Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan reminded staff and participating security officials of the requirement to swear or affirm an oath of neutrality and discharge their duties in accordance with the law, without fear or favour.
He urged INEC personnel to remain impartial and uphold the law as the commission prepares for the 2027 general elections.
