Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Aminu Chinade, has warned troublemakers to steer clear of South-East zone in tomorrow’s (Saturday) Presidential and National Assembly election.
He also assured South-East residents of adequate security before, during and after the general election.
Chinade said that the Nigerian Army was “highly prepared and motivated to give them a bloody nose.”
The GOC gave the assurance in Enugu while addressing troops deployed for election security in various parts of the South-East.
He assured residents that the Army and other sister security agencies were prepared to provide robust and adequate security to ensure peaceful and successful elections in the region.
“I will urge all our brothers and sisters in the South-East to come out en masse to vote massively without any fear of molestation.
“They should disregard the empty threat issued by a fugitive in Europe and other threats coming from any miscreant saying that they should not come out and vote.
“Adequate security arrangements have been put in place all over the South-East to ensure that every Nigerian especially our brothers and sisters in the South-East exercise their franchise and vote without any fear.
“Those that feel within any reason that they want to disrupt this election, they are in for a bloody nose.”
The GOC further warned that the Army had deployed resources to decisively deal with any negative situation.
Chinade urged the troops to work closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to secure the lives and property of all residents.
This, he said, would provide conducive atmosphere for peaceful and successful conduct of the elections on Saturday.
“In discharging our mandate, we must be professional, neutral and apolitical.
“The armed forces and especially the Nigerian Army is a neutral organisation when it comes to politics and so we will continue to be.
“We must work in partnership with other security agencies and host communities to ensure we deliver on our mandate for this election,” he said.
The GOC, however, warned that the Nigerian Army would not tolerate unprofessional conduct from any personnel.
Chinade thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for approving and providing all that was needed for election security in the region.
“We are grateful to the COAS for assisting the Division with logistics, equipment and tactical support for us to deliver on this mandate within the South-East and other Areas of Responsibility of the Division.”
He urged residents to call any of the following numbers in case of emergency:
Abia — 09029568595, 07067880707; Anamba — 08030881453, 08024087164; Ebonyi – 08161417223, 07030909717, 08136429668; Enugu – 08034089570, 08064272907; and Imo — 08164120381, 08035298532.
