The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Faruk Yahaya, said Army has developed contingency plans to assist the civil authority in the provision of enabling environment for the 2023 elections.
General Yahaya stated this while declaring the Chief of Army Staff 2022 conference closed in Sokoto State.
According to him, the conference was used to assess army preparation to support civil authority to conduct free, fair and credible 2023 elections across the country.
“I am happy to state that the Nigerian Army formations and units have developed plans to assist the civil authority in ensuring successful conduct of general elections.
“Indeed, the reviewed Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct recently issued to troops were extensively discussed and commanders are now better informed on their responsibilities as well as the obligations of their personnel.
“The lessons learnt during our security support for the elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States were also deliberated upon with sound conclusions reached to enhance our security duties in the up-coming elections.
“Thus, I wish to assure all the people that personnel of the Nigerian Army are well positioned to discharge their constitutional duties of providing peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the 2023 electioneering period,” General Yahaya said.
He urged commanders to ensure that all personnel remain apolitical and avoid fraternization with politicians.
He charged commanders to monitor political developments and threats, conduct precursor operations and rehearse contingency plans to facilitate swift security intervention.
Yahaya noted that the army would continue to consolidate on the improved synergy with sister services and other security agencies through joint training and exercises.
“It was also imperative for commanders to liaise with the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Correctional Service to reinforce security measures in all correctional facilities in their Areas of Responsibilities,” he stated.
He urged Commanding Officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors to effectively play their leadership roles in the running of the affairs of their units.
“As key custodians of regimentation in the unit, you are to make deliberate effort to promote regimentation in line with the Unit Standing Operating Procedures.
“The proper conduct of orderly room procedures, barrack security duties, durbars as well as visits to armouries, magazines, stores and duty locations are to be maintained efficiently as enshrined in the Unit SOPs.
“I also encourage you to maintain professional liaison with local authorities, traditional leaders and youth leaders to facilitate information gathering operations and crises management,” he urged.
He assured all commanders that the Army Headquarters will sustain ongoing efforts to provide the requisite resources to accomplish their missions.
He however advices commanders to sustain the efforts in engaging with host communities through regular security meetings and civil military cooperation activities, “In the same vein, I urge the people to continue to provide actionable information to the commanders in the field to facilitate their operations”.
The Chief of Army Staff expressed the Nigerian Army’s profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, for attending the opening ceremony of this conference in person as the Special Guest of Honour and also for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army.
He also commended Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, towards his efforts in ensuring a successful Chief of Army Staff Conference 2022 in his state.
Olusola Akintonde
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