The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Ajunwa on Friday pledged that troops of the division would act professionally and ensure the safety of voters during the Presidential Election on Saturday.
He gave the admonition while addressing troops of the division before their deployment as part of their assistance to the civil police with a view to ensuring seamless, violence-free polls within its area of jurisdiction.
The GOC noted that 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos is lending its support to the leading agency, the Nigerian Police in Lagos and Ogun states in the provision of security for Nigerians during the forthcoming elections.
As a result, 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) has deployed troops in Lagos and Ogun states metropolis ahead of the 2023 Presidential Elections slated for tomorrow, Saturday, 25 February 2023.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni on Friday admonished residents in these states to remain calm as they would experience the deployment of a large number of troops.
“The general public should, therefore, not be perturbed by this presence, but should be free to carry out their civic responsibility without fear as the troops are deployed to ensure their safety, the safety of INEC staffs, ensure the security of ballot materials and to serve as deterrence to unscrupulous elements who could have any negative intention of breaking the law and order during the polls.
He further added that in compliance with the Chief Of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya’s directives, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa, while addressing the troops before deployment, admonished “the troops to be very professional, cautious, respect fundamental Human Rights and remain apolitical.”
The GOC further encouraged troops to always remember the contents of the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Nigerian Army Personnel during the elections. He strictly warned that any personnel that acts contrary to the rules of engagement and engages in activities that could embarrass or bring the name of the NA to disrepute will be strictly sanctioned according to the provision of the Armed Forces Act.
Gen Ajunwa also gave a very strong warning to compromised politicians and political hoodlums to desist from any form of electoral malpractices or violence as the Division will not condone any form of irresponsibility and lawlessness that will compromise the peace, Lagos and Ogun States enjoy.
The GOC however, encouraged law-abiding citizens to feel free to carry out their civic responsibility while assuring them of their safety during and after the elections.
It could be recalled that to deter criminals from having freedom of action to organize their undemocratic plans, troops of the division in collaboration with other security agencies have conducted “Shows of Force” on the mainland and Island in Lagos state as well as in Ogun state.
Troops have also conducted raids on criminal hideouts in these states where criminals of different shades have been arrested.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/81-division-vows-to-professionally-ensure-safety-of-voters/
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