Following the allegations of partisanship, coercion and intimidation of voters against the army, the Nigerian army has said its activities in the just concluded elections were within the ambit of the law and rules of engagement.
The army said soldiers deployed on election duty were professional and proactive in their conduct.
According to the spokesman of the army, Sagir Musa, “we acted within the requirements of the law, rules of engagement and code of conduct.”
During the elections, there were widespread allegations of partisanship and attacks on Nigerians by soldiers.
Electoral officers in some states, including Rivers, Lagos and Delta, accused the military of interfering in the elections.
The soldiers were fingered in shootings that resulted in deaths of many people, and other unwholesome acts allegedly recorded in some states during the polls.
But, Mr Musa said that the army made its position clear before, during and after the elections.
“Our position stands on the verdict given by local and foreign election monitors that commended the Nigerian Army for being professional, proactive, responsive and unbiased,” the spokesman said.
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Elections: Army embarks on “operation show of force” in A’Ibom
The Nigerian Army has said it would deal decisively with anyone involved in political thuggery, ballot box snatching, arson and other electoral offences in Akwa Ibom state.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Major Bashir Jajira said this when the Army embarked on a joint show of force parade with other security agencies in the state on Saturday.
He said the troops would move along flash point such as, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Oron, Eastern Obolo, Ibiono Ibom/Itu and Uyo.
He explained that the exercise was aimed at instilling confidence in the electorate to come out en masse and vote for candidates of their choice during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 9.
“The Joint Show of Force Parade is aimed at sending a positive message to the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
“That 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister security agencies in the state has put an adequate arrangement to provide a secured and conducive environment for the electorate to exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation.
“Also to send a signal to political thugs and suspected political offenders that 2 Brigade Nigerian Army is ready to deal decisively with any form of political thuggery in the state before, during and after the general elections in accordance with the law,” Jajira said.
The parade was made up of troops from the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps.
