The Nigerian Army has stated that no soldier of the Nigerian Army was in any way involved in escort of fake voters into Anambra State and it remains a political.
The army in a reaction to what it terms as “misleading information” as it says some mischief makers, using the social media, shared a video alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State.
Constitutional Role
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said “Nigerian Army (NA) has noted again the desperation of conflict merchants to discredit its constitutional role of aiding civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so”
“The buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We therefore urge the general public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation”
“Even though such despicable propaganda images can easily be punctured by any keen observer, however for the sake of posterity, we wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State”
“Contrary to the misleading information, the buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We therefore urge the general public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation,” the Army spokesman stated.
The army further made it clear that its duty in the state at the time was purely security-related and in support of the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the security architecture of electioneering.
Secured atmosphere
This, the army said was being done in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure a safe and secured atmosphere for peaceful conduct of elections.
It further said troops were guided by extant provisions of Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Personnel Code of Conduct during elections and the provisions of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004 while operating along these lines to ensure that peace and security reign in the country.
The army therefore stated that it would remain apolitical and professional in deeds and conduct for the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria, while encouraging the political gladiators to refrain from dragging the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria into the murky waters of politics.
The army assured all Nigerians that the NA remains resolute in carrying out her constitutional duties as it urged the good people of Anambra state not to panic while appreciating them for being law abiding and for supporting the joint security agencies, who are toiling relentlessly to ensure peace and security in the state.
Lateefah Ibrahim
