The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Hassan Dada has flagged off the ‘Operation Safe Conduct’ in Imo ahead of the Saturday November 11 governorship election.
The GOC who performed the exercise in a brief ceremony at the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri, on Wednesday, described the operation as “a measure by the Nigerian Military to ensure the security of all stakeholders in the electioneering process”.
He said that a show of force would be carried out by officers in the three senatorial districts of the state ahead of the election.
According to him, the essence of the exercise was to restore the confidence of the electorate and to assure them of adequate security ahead of the election.
While thanking the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja for his moral, logistics and other support, he assured officers on election duty of their overall welfare.
He further advised his officers to remain nonpartisan and to get conversant with the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct for election duty, while cooperating with other security agencies.
He said: ” Ours is to ensure that people come out and discharge their duties seamlessly while remaining nonpartisan”.
He charged them to protect all INEC officials and election materials warning that he would not accept any excuses for any lapses.
He said: “Do not accept any tip-off from anybody, if you are found wanting, you will be court marshaled“.
He, however, warned those who might plan to cause trouble to think otherwise.
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