The Nigerian Army (NA) says it remains apolitical in the performance of its constitutional role in support of the Nigeria Police in ensuring security during and after tomorrow Anambra State governorship election.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu,the director of Army Public Relations stated this in a statement why reacting to a video in social media alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State.
“We wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State”, he stated.
He said Nigerian Army has noted again the desperation of conflict merchants to discredit its constitutional role of aiding civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so.
“The mischief makers, using the social media, shared a video alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State.
“Though such despicable propaganda images can easily be punctured by any keen observer, however for the sake of posterity, we wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State.
He said that contrary to the misleading information, “the buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position.
“We therefore urge the public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation.
“Our duty in the state at this time is purely security-related and in support of the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the security architecture of electioneering. This is done in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere for peaceful conduct of elections, he explained.
He further stated that “troops are guided by extant provisions of Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Personnel Code of Conduct during elections and the provisions of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004. We shall continue to operate along these lines to ensure that peace and security reign in our country.”
“We will remain apolitical and very professional in deeds and conduct for the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria. We also encourage the political gladiators to refrain from dragging the Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria into the murky waters of politics.
We assure all Nigerians that the NA remains resolute in carrying out her constitutional duties. We urge the good people of Anambra state not to panic and we sincerely appreciate them for being law abiding and for supporting the joint security agencies, who are toiling relentlessly to ensure peace and security in the state.