Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has warned troops of the Nigerian Army against allowing themselves to dragged into politicking as electoral activities intensify ahead to the 2023 general elections.
The military chief gave the charge in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday while addressing troops during his operational tour of two brigade Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu which was sighted by Africa Today News, New York, disclosed that Lieutenant General Yahaya also admonished the troops to remain focused in the conduct of ongoing internal security operations across the country.
Read Also: Peacekeeping: Nigerian Army Deploys 62 Soldiers To Mali
He reiterated that the role of troops during elections, is to provide support to the Nigeria Police, which is the lead agency in the security architecture during elections and not to interfere with the process in favour of any political party or group.
The army chief charged the troops to remain resolute in protecting the territorial integrity of the country and the citizens.
He also urged them to remain committed to vigorously protecting national economic assets by checking the activities of criminals and economic saboteurs, who are bent on sabotaging the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy.
The COAS also used the opportunity to assure the troops that their administrative and operational challenges will receive due and prompt attention, adding that the welfare of personnel is paramount under his leadership.
During the operational tour to Uyo, the COAS inspected the ongoing projects in the new barracks under construction at NSIT Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He also visited 6 battalion headquarters at Ibagwa in Abak Local Government area of the state where he interacted with officers and soldiers of the battalion.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK