By Mustapha Salisu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has directed formation and unit commanders of the Nigerian Army to ensure that troops remain professional and apolitical during the forthcoming Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections across the nation.
The Army Chief handed down the charge while addressing formation and unit commanders across the country, prelude to the rescheduled 18 March 2023 polls.
This was contained in a statement issued to PRIME TIME NEWS by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
Gen Yahaya, who commended the troops for their overall performance in the provision of security during the last polls admonished them to shun all forms of inducement, enticement or cajoling that could compromise the security of the polls, adding that a secure and safe atmosphere must be provided for the citizenry to exercise their civic responsibility of chosing their leaders.
According to Nwachukwu, Gen Yahaya charged the troops to adhere strictly to the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct, as any contravention will attract dire consequences.
He urged the commanders to intensify efforts at providing security support for the elections and be ready to respond promptly to any emergency situation while prioritizing the protection of key national infrastructure.
The COAS equally reminded his commanders of the oath of allegiance they swore to defend the sovereignty of Nigeria and maintained that the Nigerian Army must be seen by all to stand in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
Meanwhile, the Army Spokesperson revealed that the Nigerian Army has updated its list of hotlines for monitoring and reporting of emergencies and acts capable of disrupting the coming elections.
“It could be recalled that the NA had earlier released a set of contacts during the Presidential election held in Febuary 2023 as part of measures to support the Police in establishing a conducive environment for the successful conduct of free,fair and peaceful elections” he said.
Nwachukwu, however, enjoined members of the general public to please call the phone numbers below in their various states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to report any security breach during the elections.
1. ABIA STATE – 09029568595, 07067880707
2. ADAMAWA – 08022750987
3. AKWA IBOM STATE – 09070077175, 08163256562
4. ANAMBRA STATE – 08030881453
5. BAUCHI STATE – 08128063675
6. BAYELSA STATE – 08107855752, 08143247308
7. BENUE STATE – 08080754339
8. BORNO STATE – 09099616160, 08086987079
9. CROSS RIVER – 08037084192
10. DELTA STATE – 09044400064, 08144464947
11. EBONYI STATE – 08158274048
12. EDO STATE – 09066325953
13. EKITI STATE – 08037851448
14. ENUGU STATE – 09032102212, 08023097458
15. GOMBE STATE – 07063908779, 08082557782
16. IMO STATE – 08069587883, 08164120381
17. JIGAWA STATE – 07017791414, 08100144363
18. KADUNA STATE – 07031544227, 08028580978, 08035242633
19. KANO STATE – 08038432656
20. KASTINA STATE – 08108854061, 09012998054
21. KEBBI STATE – 09130213661
22. KOGI STATE – 08033217964
23. KWARA STATE – 09060001270
24. LAGOS STATE – 07034769430, 09127604098
25. NASARAWA STATE – 09051009404
26. NIGER STATE – 07031346425
27. OGUN STATE – 09116589494, 08032466245
28. ONDO STATE – 08036130535
29. OSUN STATE – 09019683922
30. OYO STATE – 07047703000
31. PLATEAU STATE – 08037116395, 07031260622
32. RIVERS STATE – 08064274222
33. SOKOTO STATE – 07069084570, 07052693532, 08136913284
34. TARABA STATE – 08136728969, 08060902363
35. YOBE STATE – 08061397656
36. ZAMFARA STATE – 08140075541
37. FCT – 09114913164, 08186690471, 08079153860, 08164304255, 09159793968
