Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Army Headquarters Operation Assessment Team have commended troops of the Guards Brigade for its readiness to ensure the conduct of a crisis free general elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.
The team has warned officers and soldiers of the brigade to shun acts that may drag the name of the Nigerian Army in the mud.
Brigadier General Adamu Yari Yakubu, leader of the team, gave the warning when he visited troops of the Guard’s brigade at the Brigade Forward Operations Base (FOB), Abaji, in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
Gen Yakubu said Operations Assessment Team was in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya’s zeal to ensure that Nigerians go out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice under a secured and peaceful atmosphere. He commended the determination of Guards Brigade to secure and defend the FCT against all forms of illegality, before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
While commending the optimism with the level of preparation by the combined troops, Gen Yakubu, noted that synergy was key towards ensuring a hitch free election, just as he called on Nigerians to conduct themselves properly as electoral violence would not be tolerated from any quarters.
In his address, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Aminu Umar, represented by the Assistant Chief of Staff, Lt Col Kayode Akinsowon, said troops of the Brigade, in synergy of sister security agencies, have put all round pegs in round holes, to ensure that the FCT remains safe and secure before and after the elections. The combined troops, according to Akinsowa, have been sensitised on electoral law and code of conduct for the armed forces, to ensure that no group of persons mislead them.
Also speaking, the Commanding Officer, 176 Guard’s Battalion, Lt Col Olumide Akingbesote, after briefing the team on the effort of the Brigade, also conducted them round some facilities before visiting troops deployed at various points.