The Nigerian Army has charged its troops to ensure an enabling environment for the smooth conduct of a peaceful election in Bayelsa State.
General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, gave the charge on Monday while addressing troops and members of other security agencies for the conduct of Exercise SAFE CONDUCT 2023 in Bayelsa State.
Major General Abdussalam charged the troops to ensure the good people of Bayelsa State come out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice without any fear of intimidation, which he said is one of the ways the Nigerian Army (NA) will support democracy to thrive in Nigeria.
“We must ensure that everywhere is safe and people can see sufficiently that we are fully on the ground to boost public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.
He further disclosed that troops have been adequately briefed on the subsisting Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the elections, adding that they must conduct themselves most professionally before, during, and after the election.
The GOC warned that no form of complacency would be tolerated at all levels, and called on all the participating troops to ensure they do the needful as duty calls. He also sounded a note of warning to would-be troublemakers to desist as troops are determined to close in on them during the election.
Abdulssalam maintained that no stone would be left unturned to deal decisively with any individual or group, whose stock in trade is to cause mayhem or snatch ballot boxes during the elections.
“If the trouble makers feel they have two heads, they must be ready with the second head because the first head would surely be taken off,” he re-echoed, adding that the era of snatching ballot boxes, stuffing them, and indeed any form of electoral violence is gone, as adequate arrangements have been put in place to deal decisively with such threats.
Major General Abdussalam also said that flash points have been identified, and anything that will deny the electorates to exercise their franchise freely will be met with proportionate force. He called on those thinking along that line to bury their thoughts, as security forces will go all out to ensure the election is conducted peacefully.
The GOC expressed pleasure at the level of synergy existing between the NA and sister services, which he said culminated into a joint route march, climaxing with a joint show of force in Yenagoa and environs today.
The activity, he further said, essentially sends a clear message to those who are bent on causing trouble before, during, and after the polls, to have a rethink.
