By Bakura Umaru

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has ordered General Officers Commanding and other Formation Commanders of the Nigerian Army to identify all the flashpoints ahead of next general elections and ensure the environments are kept safe for the exercise.

He warned that any infraction on the provisions of the code of conduct will not be treated with levity, stressing that all the senior personnel that would be deployed must ensure a secure atmosphere in their areas of responsibility before, during and after elections.

Yahaya, who gave this directive during the flag-off of Operation Safe Conduct across all divisions in the country, also charged that the troops must be alert, proactive and operate jointly with the other security agencies especially with the Nigeria Police Force.

“Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya directed all General Officers Commanding and other Formation Commanders of the Nigerian Army to ensure conducive and secure atmosphere in their Areas of Responsibility for the successful conduct of the coming 2023 elections.

“Speaking further, the Army Chief reiterated the unwavering resolve of the NA to strictly adhere to its constitutional role by supporting the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the 2023 elections security architecture.

“He charged the Commanders to identify and dominate flash points in their AORs, adding that troops must be alert, proactive and operate jointly with sister services and other security agencies during the elections,” a statement signed by the army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said.

The Army Chief pledged that all requisite logistics would be deployed to ensure security and safety of citizens during the elections, urging them to be professional, apolitical and adhere strictly to extant Code of conduct and Rules of Engagement guiding personnel throughout their operations.