President Muhammadu Buhari has told political thugs who are known to snatch ballot boxes to desist from the act or risk losing their lives in the process.
Mr Buhari gave the warning on Monday at the emergency meeting of All Progressive Congress (APC) caucus meeting in Abuja.
The president who expressed sadness at the postponement of the general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called for patience among fellow country men and women.
He said security agencies have been mandated to gun down anyone who intends or caught snatching ballot boxes in order to thwart the will of the people.
“Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disrupt it (election), may be this is the last unlawful action you will take,” Buhari told his audience.
“I have already ordered the military and the police to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed that you want to rig election.
“I want Nigerians to be respected, let them vote who ever they want across the (political) parties.
“Anybody who think he has enough influence in his locality to lead a body of thugs to snatch boxes or to disrupt the voting system, he will do it as the expense of his own life,” the president added.
He expressed confidence that having gone round the 36 states to seek votes, he is confident of winning the election.
Buhari also said the rescheduling of the election will be probed after the exercise and those found culpable will be dealt with severely.
“Certainly the reason why that incompetence had to manifest itself has to be explained to the nation.
“After the election we have to know exactly what happened and who is responsible otherwise our effort to make sure this system we voluntarily accept is not making progress.
“What is the use if we accept the incompetence? The constitution and the laws protected INEC but they must not take us for granted,” he added.
