Linus Aleke, Abuja

The Nigerian Navy (NN), yesterday pledged to halt the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), offices by yet-to-be-identified arsonists across the federation, by collaborating with the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to provide all-round security on the Commission’s facilities.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, made this pledge during a sensitization meeting which was transmitted virtually to all the Commands from the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

The CNS, also ordered commanders at all levels to ensure that they adhere strictly to the rule of engagement, standing operating procedures, including other safety measures.

According to him, “You are to also ensure all-round security in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies at all INEC facilities within your respective areas of responsibilities”.

He equally tasked Flag Officers Commanding to sustain aerial surveillance as well as emplace proactive measures to forestall the breakdown of law and order in their respective areas of responsibility, before, during, and after the elections.

Vice Admiral Gambo said: “The Nigerian Navy, as well as several other security agencies, will be required to perform various tasks in line with our respective mandate and statutory responsibilities to support the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), which is the lead agency, in internal security so as to ensure the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

This support, expectedly, is essentially in the area of securing election materials, safeguarding vulnerable and key points, search and rescue, dispute resolutions in communities, restrictions of unlawful movement, and other lawful tasks within the riverine communities, which is our domain and of course which have diverse tasks and so much difficult terrains”.

The CNS noted that these tasks must be executed professionally as part of the Nigerian Navy’s responsibility in aid to civil authorities.

He also, reiterated that partiality or actions that could be interpreted as being partisan must be vehemently discouraged amongst personnel.

While tasking all commanders to have their eyes on their personnel to ensure that his instructions are adhered to strictly, Vice Admiral Gambo said, communication technology and adherence to social media regulations, must be topmost in their briefs to their personnel.

In conclusion, he urged the commanders to ensure that personnel under them embark on intelligence-led and aggressive patrols so that law-abiding citizens will garner the confidence to go about their legitimate businesses.