General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Aminu Chinade, has informed residents of the South-East that there will be sufficient security before, during, and after the general election.
Troublemakers were advised to stay away from the area by Chinade, who noted that the Nigerian Army was “very prepared and motivated to give them a bloody nose.”
The GOC provided the reassurance on Thursday in Enugu while speaking to troops stationed in the area to ensure the security of the elections.
He gave the assurance that the Army and other sister security organisations were ready to offer strong and sufficient security to ensure that the region’s elections would be successful and peaceful.
“I will exhort all of our South-Eastern brothers and sisters to cast their votes in large numbers without being afraid of being harassed.
“They should dismiss the empty threat made by a wanted man in Europe and other threats made by miscreants telling them not to cast ballots.
“Adequate security arrangements have been made throughout the South-East to guarantee that every Nigerian, especially our South-Eastern relatives, can exercise their right to vote and do so without fear.
“Anyone who feel, for any reason, that they want to sabotage this election are in for a bloodied nose,” the statement reads.
The Army has deployed resources to respond forcefully with any unfavourable circumstance, the GOC further warned.
Chinade exhorted the troops to collaborate closely with other security organisations and stakeholders to protect everyone’s lives and property.
According to him, this would create an environment that would allow for the calm and smooth conduct of the polls on Saturday.
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“In carrying out our mandate, we must be impartial, professional, and apolitical.
“The armed forces, particularly the Nigerian Army, are an organisation that is politically neutral, and we will remain such.
To make sure we carry out our duty in this election, he stated, “we must collaborate with other security agencies and host communities.”
Nonetheless, the GOC issued a warning that the Nigerian Army would not allow any personnel acting in an unprofessional manner.
Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), was thanked by Chinade for his approval of and provision of the necessary materials for the region’s election security.
“We are appreciative to the COAS for helping the Division with supplies, equipment, and tactical assistance so we may carry out this mandate in the South-East and other Areas of Responsibility of the Division,” the division said in a statement.
In case of an emergency, he advised locals to phone any of the following numbers:
In addition to Abia (09029568595, 07067880707), Anamba (08030881453, 08024087164), Ebonyi (08161417223, 07030909717, 08136429668), Enugu (08034089570, 08064272907), and Imo (08164120381, 08035298532), these states also have the following numbers.
