The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has charged troops to ensure they create an enabling environment for the smooth conduct of a peaceful election in Bayelsa State.
Major Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the GOC gave the charge while addressing troops and members of other security agencies for the conduct of Exercise Safe Conduct 2023 in Bayelsa State.
“We must ensure that everywhere is safe and people can see sufficiently that we are fully on the ground to boost public confidence in the electoral process,” Maj. Gen. Abdussalam said.
He further maintained that troops have been adequately briefed on the existing code of conduct and rules of engagement for the elections. He added that they must conduct themselves most professionally before, during, and after the election.
In the same breath, the GOC maintained that security agencies will deal decisively with any individual or group whose stock in trade is to cause mayhem or snatch ballot boxes during the elections. “The era of snatching ballot boxes, stuffing them, and indeed any form of electoral violence is gone,” he said.
According to him, adequate arrangements have been established to deal decisively with such threats.
