General election: Army says it will provide security in Rivers

General election: Army says it will provide security in Rivers

Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:41 pm


Nigerian soldier: Army promises security during election in Rivers

Nigerian soldier: Army promises security during election in Rivers

The Nigerian Army said it would provide security for election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during and after the forthcoming elections in Rivers State.

Brig.-Gen. Koko Essien, Commander, 2 Brigade Port Harcourt, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt.

He said the Army was willing to deploy troops on ground and on waterways to subvert any form of ballot box snatching and violence at the request of INEC.

“We have a mandate to support the success of these elections, and so, my men will provide security to INEC officials and materials on ground and waterways in a constitutional manner.

“Come March 28 and April 11, people should feel free and come out to vote any candidate of their choice because we are working with other sister security services to provide a top notch security.

According to Essien, the military and particularly the Army, will not condone any act of political thuggery by anyone in the state to subvert the forthcoming elections.

He urged the people to come out en-masse and participate in the elections, saying that security would be tight.

Essien, who recently assumed Command of the Brigade, said the army had adopted new strategies to be able to drastically reduce oil theft, pipeline vandalism and rising cult activities in the state.

He called for media partnership and support in the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the state.

Rivers State has been rocked with several acts of violence, especially against members of the All Progressives Congress. APC offices have been bombed and members attacked.

The latest attack was the shooting incident Tuesday in Okrika, hometown of Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria’s president. A policeman was killed at the rally of the APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside. There were also several people injured.

Involvement of the military in providing security for the polls has been ruled out as illegal by a Sokoto High Court and The APC has formally written President Jonathan not to deploy soldiers for the elections.


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