Ahead of the Nov. 11 governorship election, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hassan Dada, has flagged off “Operation Safe Conduct” in Imo State.
The GOC performed the exercise in a brief ceremony at the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri, on Wednesday.
Dada, who described the operation as “a measure by the Nigerian military to ensure the security of all stakeholders in the electioneering process,” said that a show of force would be carried out by officers in the three senatorial districts of the state ahead of the election.
He said that the exercise was to restore the confidence of the electorate and to assure them of adequate security ahead of the election.
He 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.
Dada said to the troops: “Ours is to ensure that people come out and discharge their duties seamlessly while remaining nonpartisan. You must protect all INEC officials and election materials but don’t touch the materials. I will not accept any excuses for any lapses. Do not accept any tip-off from anybody; if you are found wanting, you will be court-martialled.”
He advised citizens who might be thinking about causing trouble to think otherwise.
“Those who are here to make trouble will have us to contend with; we are more than adequately prepared,” he warned.
