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Ahead of today’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections, the military, police and Department of State Services have set up joint operations centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, disclosed this at the joint news conference with the spokespersons of the services, police and DSS in Abuja.
Gusau said the military and other security agencies had put adequate measures in place to ensure the successful conduct of the elections across the country.
He said that the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and heads of other security agencies had met and assured the nation that the security agencies were set for the conduct of a hitch free elections in the country.
He said they had also assured that the armed forces were prepared to support the Nigeria Police and other government agencies responsible for the conduct of elections.
“The CDS has sent out strong messages that the armed forces are committed to total collaboration with other security agencies to ensure this election is successful.
“In the words of the CDS, the elections will be conducted and everyone will be at liberty to exercise his franchise.
“The AFN is committed to strong and viable constitutional democracy. We are very loyal to the Nigerian State, and we are ready to defend democracy at all cost.
“During the elections, all our normal operations and duties will continue simultaneously across the country and Operation Safe conduct has been activated to provide guidance to the armed forces during the general elections,” he said.
According to him, DHQ has established a monitoring team in conjunction with other security agencies that will oversee the process in FCT and all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Similarly, operations centres have been established in the FCT and the 36 states of the country to serve as quick response centres for all distress calls in the event of any breach of peace during the general election.
“I want to use this opportunity to reecho the warning of the CDS to undesirable elements, that the armed force and other security agencies are ready and will subvert any threats to peace and tranquility.
“Strong force will be applied to those that want to breach public peace during the general elections,” he said.
Gusau said the military had adequately sensitised its personnel on their expected roles throughout the period of the elections.
On his part, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the military and the security agencies were together in protecting the nation’s democracy and working towards having a good transitional progress in Nigeria’s democracy.
Adejobi assured the readiness of the security agencies towards the presidential and national assembly elections today.
He said that movement restrictions would start from 12.01am to 6pm today, stressing that there would be no vehicular, Okada or tricycle movement or boats on waterways.
The spokesperson for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, assured of the service’s commitment to a peaceful exercise.
Afunanya gave assurance that the DSS would ensure neutrality, professionalism and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process.
Open lines at the Headquarters include: +234 9153391309, +234 9153391310, +234 9088373514.
