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)
