Elections: Military reads riot act to thugs in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo

By Linus Aleke, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday, warned political thugs and other criminal elements to stay away from ballots in the off-circle elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states elections scheduled for next month or have troops of the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to contend with.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa gave this warning in Abuja, when the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawale, paid a familiarization visit to Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and the other services.

This is as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, appealed for more funding to enable the military to function effectively.

He however, acknowledges the government’s interventions in the military, stressing that it is making a significant impact on military operations.

The CDS said the military will work to ensure free and fair elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, adding that it does nobody any good if anyone is killed.

He said: “We are also prepared for the coming elections in the three states of Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa. I want to assure Nigerians that the election will be free and fair, without any fear or intimidation. We don’t want any violence. I want to appeal to all stakeholders that it does nobody any good if anybody is killed because the electorate has to go and vote. So it is important that we all put hands on deck. We will ensure that the outcome of the election reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people”.

While welcoming the Ministers to the Defence Headquarters, General Musa said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is fully behind the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He noted that the military will continue to defend the Constitution of Nigeria.

He further assured that the military will do everything within its powers to protect the nation’s nascent democracy.

The CDS also disclosed that the federal government has allocated special medical funds for the treatment of wounded soldiers.

The Minister of Defence, Badaru assured COAS of prompt consideration of his requests and improved funding.

He also, commended the CDS for reducing the strength of terror groups across the country and urged him to completely wipe them out of the country.

On his part, the Minister of State for Defence, Matawale called for citizens’ support to the military to tame insecurity.