People Are Planning To Impersonate Military Personnel During Elections – CDS

Gen AG Olonisakin @CDS_Nig

Today I gave a press
statement on the forthcoming 2019 General Elections which will begin
this Saturday, 16 February 2019. The statement is a follow up to the
just concluded meeting of Armed Forces of Nigeria and security and
intelligence agencies./1

I stated amongst other things that, in
line with our various constitutional responsibilities the all the
security agencies have been reviewing our strategies to ensure adequate
security and protection for all Nigerians and foreigners before, during
and after the elections. /2

We have also harmonized our
strategies through several engagements between the heads of the various
security agencies. Furthermore, we have been told by the President,
Commander-in-Chief in very clear terms that he is committed to ensuring
free, fair and credible elections. /3

I wish to say that the
Armed Forces as well as other security and intelligence agencies are
also committed to a violence free elections and that all Nigerians
eligible to vote are able to perform their civic responsibilities
without fear of molestation by any person or group./4

We are
not unaware of plans to illegally use uniforms of military/paramilitary
agencies to impersonate security and law enforcement agencies; illegally
posses and use firearms to intimidate and harass members of the public;
and engage in acts likely to breach security./5

Let me
warn that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will
not tolerate any act that is likely to cause security breaches before,
during and after the elections. We will deal decisively with these acts
irrespective of those involved. /6

Members of the public are
hereby advised to disregard calls in some parts of the country to
boycott the elections. The stay-at-home leaflets being circulated and
similar online messages are the handiworks of mischief makers who are
bent on sabotaging the process. Ignore them./7

It is important to
reiterate that law enforcement agencies will remain apolitical. Code of
Conduct for the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the 2019 General Elections
have been issued to the Services and security personnel that will be
deployed for election security duties./8

All other personnel not
deployed for election security duties have been directed to steer clear
of the election venues except to exercise their rights to vote for
candidates of their choice. / 9

I would also like to appeal to
all Nigerians to adhere strictly to restrictions on movement during the
period of the elections as violators, no matter how highly placed, will
be arrested and detained by the appropriate law enforcement agents. /10

Restrictions
on movement do not however apply to personnel on elections security
duties, local and international observers/monitors and emergency as well
as security services personnel on authorized duties. /11

Finally,
I wish to assure all peace loving members of the public of the
preparedness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and all security agencies to
support a peaceful 2019 General Elections and to encourage all to go
about their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation./12

I
also want to encourage us to promptly report all suspicious activities
to law enforcement agencies. The general public should rest assured that
the security agencies are prepared to support the Nigeria Police for
the safe conduct of the elections. Thank you and God bless./13