Sustain apolitical posture in March 18 elections – COAS to commanders
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has directed formation and unit commanders to ensure that troops remain professional and apolitical during Saturday’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
Yahaya gave the directive while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country on Thursday, prelude to the March 18 polls.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
The COAS commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Feb. 25.
He admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the polls, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of choosing their leaders.
Yahaya also charged the troops to adhere strictly to the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct, warning that any contravention will attract dire consequences.
He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation, while prioritising the protection of key national infrastructure.
The Army chief also reminded the commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria, adding that the Nigerian army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
Meanwhile, the army authority has updated its list of hotlines for monitoring and reporting of emergencies and acts capable of disrupting the coming elections.
The Nigerian army had prior to the Feb. 25 polls, released a set of contact numbers as part of measures to support the Police in establishing a conducive environment for the successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.
The authority therefore urged members of the public to call the phone numbers below in their various states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections:
- ABIA STATE – 09029568595 & 07067880707
- ADAMAWA – 08022750987
- AKWA IBOM STATE – 09070077175 & 08163256562
- ANAMBRA STATE – 08030881453
- BAUCHI STATE – 08128063675
- BAYELSA STATE – 08107855752 & 08143247308
- BENUE STATE – 08080754339
- BORNO STATE – 09099616160 & 08086987079
- CROSS RIVER – 08037084192l
- DELTA STATE – 09044400064 & 08158274048
- EDO STATE – 09066325953
- EKITI STATE – 08037851448
- ENUGU STATE – 09032102212 & 08023097458
- GOMBE STATE – 07063908779 & 08082557782
- IMO STATE – 08069587883 & 08164120381
- JIGAWA STATE – 07017791414
- KADUNA STATE – 07031544227; 08028580978; 08028580978; 08035242633; 08035242633; 08028580978 & 0803524263
- KANO STATE – 08038432656
- KATSINA STATE – 08108854061; 0901299805 & 09012998054
- KEBBI STATE – 09130213661
- KOGI STATE – 08033217964
- KWARA STATE – 09060001270
- LAGOS STATE – 07034769430 & 09127604098
- NASARAWA STATE – 09051009404
- NIGER STATE – 07031346425
- OGUN STATE – 09116589494 & 08032466245
- ONDO STATE – 08036130535
- OSUN STATE – 09019683922
- OYO STATE – 07047703000
- PLATEAU STATE – 08037116395 & 07031260622
- RIVERS STATE – 08064274222
- SOKOTO STATE – 07069084570; 07052693532 & 08136913284
- TARABA STATE – 08136728969 & 08060902363
- YOBE STATE – 08061397656
- ZAMFARA STATE – 08140075541
- FCT – 09114913164; 08186690471; 08079153860; 08164304255 & 09159793968. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
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