Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, the Nigerian Army has declared its readiness and commitment to provide the necessary security environment for the conduct of a crisis free and successful elections in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, said as electioneering activities for general elections begins, the Nigerian Army remains committed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and assist in providing secured environment for the conduct of the elections through Operation SAFE CONDUCT.
Gen. Yahaya, gave the assurance while declaring open the COAS, third quarter conference holding in Abuja.
The COAS, hinted that the Nigerian Army documents on the review of its Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for general elections which stated few months ago, is ready and would be distributed to commanders at the end of the conference.
Yahaya, while assuring of the conduct of successful general elections in 2023, said, “The Nigerian Army is also firming up its preparations to provide the necessary security assistance to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections. As electioneering activities for general elections begin, I wish to once again assure the public that the Nigerian Army remains committed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and assist in providing secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through Operation Safe Conduct.
He said,“You may all recall that in the last conference I mentioned that the Nigerian Army will review its Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for general elections.
“I am happy to inform you all that the reviewed document is ready and will be distributed at the end of this conference. Commanders are therefore to ensure that all personnel deployed for security duties during the election period are given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines provided in the document”.
The COAS while noting that conference would provide the Avenue for the Nigerian Army to appraise its performance and bring in fresh ideas to enhance its activities in all fronts, urged participants, particularly the newly appointed commanders to advance new strategies accordingly.
He commended officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army across different spheres of operations for their doggedness, dedication and bravery in combating terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, crude oil thieves and other criminality in the country.
Speaking on the security situations in the country, the COAS,said , “our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents resulting in massive surrenders of the terrorists. This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must, therefore, be geared towards leveraging on the gains so far recorded to stamp out the miscreants permanently.
He said, “The recent successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East has impacted positively on the security situation in the region even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists. The Nigerian Army will continue to perform its roles professionally in the region in collaboration with other Services and security agencies as well as State and local government authorities. Equally, the troops deployed in the South South region under Operation Delta Safe have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors. Concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South South region.
Continuing, Gen Yahaya, said “The Nigerian Army has also continued to contribute positively for the maintenance of security in the South West region, which generally remains relatively calm. Our security arrangements in the region have been reinforced in collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in the wake of the unfortunate incursions by terrorists to the region. More successes are envisaged in the region in the days ahead as concerted efforts are been undertaken to track and apprehend the criminals as well as their sponsors.
“Our offensive operations in the North West and North Central regions have also been intensified. Accordingly, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force have continued to neutralize bandits’ and destroy their hideouts under the recently launched onslaughts such as Operation DESERT SANITY. As troops continue to sustain the offensives on the bandits and terrorists, efforts are ongoing to enhance our training activities and inject more manpower as well as game changing equipment into all theatres of operations”.
Speaking on the importance of a free flow of communication and
information among troops on the conference, the COAS, said “we have invited some selected Commanding Officers particularly from the maneuver and other Arms and Services. We have also invited all the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of all the Divisions of the Nigerian Army. The aim is to drivehome firsthand some vital information, instructions and guidance down the chain of command. The Commanding Officers are tactical commanders who lead or deploy the point sections and contact troops in most of our operations. “Talking to them directly through the Conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills and competences and thus enhance the outcomes of our operations. The RSMs are well respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of NA ethics, customs and traditions and regimentation. In that unique position, they provide critical link between officers and soldiers and it is expected that their attendance of the Conference will further enhance that connect, improve their confidence, information flow and understanding and ensures soldiers get insights first hand from their RSMS on the issues discussed, conclusions reached and decisions taken at the Conference”.
