With barely 48 hours to Saturday’s off-season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), disclosed on Thursday there were plans by some persons to disguise in military gear to orchestrate havoc and disrupt elections in some areas.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure in Abuja, however warned such persons to drop their plans as, according to him, “the military is deployed in strength for the election to emplace a safe environment for voters to peaceful come out and cast their votes.”
“Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold its arms and watch its image dragged to the mud,” stated.
Major-General Buba was briefing the media on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to rid the country of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
He assured that the armed forces would continue to exert military pressure on groups that seek to derail any progress towards peace and security in the country.
“There is no doubt that these groups must be defeated and are indeed being defeated,” he declared.
He said: “It is s for these reasons we are inflicting severe damage on the terrorist, insurgents and violent extremist through our operations across the country. Accordingly, we are targeting their leadership, infrastructure and foot soldiers.
“The coordination between the air and ground forces is like never seen before and yielding amazing results and achievements. We are expecting new platforms that would further enhance our capabilities to further root out the terrorist and destroy their military capabilities.”
Commenting on recent criticisms from certain quarters regarding some operations carried out by the military, Major-General Buba said “it is important to highlight that the AFN is a discipline and well-trained force that conducts its operation within the ambit of laws governing human rights and that of armed conflict. We have rules of engagement that are followed in the course of our actions. Nevertheless, there are standing court martials to put on trial any erring personnel that is found wanting during operations.
“There is therefore the need for us to be circumspect of groups and organisations that embark on misinformation and disinformation to give the military a negative image. They have ulterior motives for their actions.”
He cited, as an example, the circulation old footages of incidences that occurred in yester years that have been tried at court martial as though, they were recent occurrences is mischievous.
“The public should be weary of such groups and their motive,” said the Director of DMO.