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March 29, 2024

Sustain apolitical posture in March 18 elections – COAS to commanders

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has directed formation and unit commanders to ensure that troops remain professional and apolitical during Saturday’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

Yahaya gave the directive while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country on Thursday, prelude to the March 18 polls.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

The COAS commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Feb. 25.

He admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the polls, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of choosing their leaders.

Yahaya also charged the troops to adhere strictly to the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct, warning that any contravention will attract dire consequences.

He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation, while prioritising the protection of key national infrastructure.

The Army chief also reminded the commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria, adding that the Nigerian army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

Meanwhile, the army authority has updated its list of hotlines for monitoring and reporting of emergencies and acts capable of disrupting the coming elections.

The Nigerian army had prior to the Feb. 25 polls, released a set of contact numbers as part of measures to support the Police in establishing a conducive environment for the successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

The authority therefore urged members of the public to call the phone numbers below in their various states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections:

  1. ABIA STATE    –            09029568595 & 07067880707
  2. ADAMAWA      –            08022750987
  3. AKWA IBOM STATE  – 09070077175 & 08163256562
  4. ANAMBRA STATE –     08030881453
  5. BAUCHI STATE –           08128063675
  6. BAYELSA STATE –        08107855752 & 08143247308
  7. BENUE STATE –            08080754339
  8. BORNO STATE –           09099616160 & 08086987079
  9. CROSS RIVER  –           08037084192l
  10. DELTA STATE –            09044400064 & 08158274048
  11. EDO STATE –                09066325953
  12. EKITI STATE  –            08037851448
  13. ENUGU STATE –          09032102212 & 08023097458
  14. GOMBE STATE –         07063908779 &  08082557782
  15. IMO STATE –                08069587883 & 08164120381
  16. JIGAWA STATE –         07017791414
  17. KADUNA STATE  –      07031544227; 08028580978; 08028580978;                                                    08035242633; 08035242633; 08028580978 &                                                  0803524263
  18. KANO STATE  –            08038432656
  19. KATSINA STATE –        08108854061; 0901299805 & 09012998054
  20. KEBBI STATE   –            09130213661
  21. KOGI STATE –                08033217964
  22. KWARA STATE  –           09060001270
  23. LAGOS STATE  –            07034769430 & 09127604098
  24. NASARAWA STATE –    09051009404
  25. NIGER STATE   –            07031346425
  26. OGUN STATE   –            09116589494 & 08032466245
  27. ONDO STATE  –            08036130535
  28. OSUN STATE  –            09019683922
  29. OYO STATE     –            07047703000
  30. PLATEAU STATE –      08037116395 & 07031260622
  31. RIVERS STATE –          08064274222
  32. SOKOTO STATE –       07069084570; 07052693532 &  08136913284
  33. TARABA STATE  –      08136728969 & 08060902363
  34. YOBE STATE  –            08061397656
  35. ZAMFARA STATE –   08140075541
  36. FCT – 09114913164; 08186690471; 08079153860; 08164304255 & 09159793968. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)                                                                                                                                                         Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
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