Army Assures On Peaceful April Polls

The Nigerian Army is now poised to play its role  of ensuring peace, security, law and order  during April 2011 general election  in the country.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabo Azubuike Ijejirika, stated this  in a chat with newsmen at the Headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu , as part of his tour of military formations in the South East.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with all security agencies in order to ensure a  hitch free general election.

Ihejirika, also charged Nigerians  not to hesitate in reporting to security agencies any plan or attempt by any person or group to cause trouble during the forthcoming elections,  “So that we take pre-emptive actions to forestall such crisis in the overall interest of the country.

According to him, “hard times, awaits hoodlums who would make any attempt to attack voting centers for the purpose of snatching ballot boxes, assuring that the Army is now ready to escort INEC officials and their materials from “point A to B”.

On his plan to transform the army, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika said: “From the time I assumed office as Chief of Army Staff, I stated clearly that my vision is to transform the Nigerian Army into a force better enabled to deal with contemporary challenges. Even this visit I have embarked upon is part of efforts towards realizing this vision”.

According to him, the challenges now  facing the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies “are more of internal rather than external. This is why we are focusing on efforts towards enhancing our contributions in this regard”.

Recalling that President Goodluck  Jonathan charged the army on the day of inauguration to focus on internal security issues, particularly in the South East  and North Western part of the country, including the North central, Jos, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika said “This is why we have put up a lot of efforts towards riding the affected areas of crime”.