Tukur Buratai, the chief of army
staff, says the Nigerian Army will replicate the successes it recorded in the
Osun and Ekiti elections in the 2019 elections.
Speaking at the 2018 COAS Annual
Conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday, Buratai said the army has launched
operation safe conduct to secure the electoral process in 2019.
“As the nation moves towards the
2019 General Elections, the NA is conducting Operation SAFE CONDUCT to support
other security agencies during the period of elections in the country,” Buratai
said.
“The NA activated the operation
on 14 July 2018 during the elections in Ekiti and Osun states and it was a huge
success.
“We intend to replicate the
successes achieved, during the 2019 General Elections because we believe that a
secure electoral process will play a critical role in safeguarding our democracy
into the future.”
He appreciated President
Muhammadu Buhari for the support he has given to the armed forces, especially
the army, and assured the president of the “unflinching loyalty and commitment
of the NA to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria”.
He also enjoined miltary
personnel to refrain from partisan politics at all levels, as the general
elections draw nearer.
“As the NA plays its role to
safeguard democracy, all NA personnel are enjoined to ensure that necessary
steps are taken in all circumstances to prevent any act that is inimical to the
unity and stability of the country.
“Thus, as political activities
unfold towards the 2019 General Elections, GOCs and field commanders at all
levels are enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under their
command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct
in the discharge of their duties.”
BURATAI: NO ARMY HAS ENOUGH
EQUIPMENT
The lieutenant general also added
that no army has enough equipment to prosecute an asymmetric warfare like Boko
Haram.
“I must also add that no army can
ever have enough equipment to conduct its operations,” Buratai added.
“Hence, it is incumbent on all
commanders and senior leaders of the NA to recognize that we are involved in
asymmetric warfare which calls for dynamism and flexibility if we are to
succeed with minimal casualties.”
Buratai, who has been chief of
army staff since 2015, also added that in 2018 alone, “a total of 156 personnel
have attended foreign courses while 2,390 have attended local courses and
training programmes, ranging from masters degree programmes to workshops and
conferences”.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete