The meeting of the National Security Council presided by President Muhammadu Buhari has raised security concern over post-election violence and stockpiling of weapons by desperate politicians across the country.

Briefing State House correspondents on its outcomes, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said the meeting focused on security issues, especially as they concern election violence.

Idris assured Nigerians that the security agencies would remain unbiased and work hard to ensure the general elections in 2019 are free and fair.

He said the Council also noted with concern the proliferation and stockpiling of weapons by some disgruntled elements in parts of the country, saying the meeting discussed the attempt by some notable personalities to put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission through demonstrations.

Minister of Defence, retired Brigadier Mansur Dan-Ali, said disgruntled elements were bent on taking laws into their hands at the slightest opportunity, saying the meeting also discussed attempt to put pressure on electoral body by some notable personalities through demonstrations which was brought under control by combine efforts of security agencies to avoid being hijacked by hoodlums or armed bandits.

Dan-Ali, said another area of security concern includes post-election violence, as desperate politicians may whip up ethno-religious sentiments to create security situation in the country, recommending the deployment of security agencies to states for peaceful conduct of the elections.

He said the deployment would further doused tension created by the outcome of the political parties’ primaries and some desperate persons to sabotage the electoral process, saying the council called for “concerted efforts of all security agencies to ensure that 2019 elections are hitch free’’.

The minister said the council stressed the need for continuous sensitisation of the public by National Orientation Agency and regular meetings of relevant stakeholders including INEC, international/local observers and the media ahead of the elections.

Security chiefs who attended the meeting include the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas.

Also present are the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, among others.

Government officials also in attendance are the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha; and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno.

However, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, was absent.