Elections Violence Can Occur In 2023, But We Will Be There – Army, Police Assures Maximum Security
The Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force has admitted that there may be election violence during the forthcoming 2023 general elections, but that security operatives would be on the ground to address such issues.
This is as the security agencies assured Nigerians of maximum security before, during and after the conduct of the February polls, Naija News reports.
The security agencies, especially the police, reiterated its readiness to provide security to facilitate free, fair, credible and peaceful elections as also promised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Naija News understands that the assurance was given in Maiduguri, Borno State capital on Tuesday when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaib paid a courtesy visit to the police commissioner in the state, Abdu Umar.
In their joint remarks, the security officials said closer collaboration between the military, police and other security agencies would facilitate maximum security before, during and after the general elections.
The GOC was satisified with the visit, saying that it availed to him the opportunity to rob minds about the preparedness of the police to address security challenges during the elections.
“The police is the lead agency but due to the peculiar nature of the North-East, it requires that the military in the sit of authority are the once who provided the lead in various operations. Elections violence can either occur prior to the conduct of the elections, during or post elections, and both agencies will be involved in addressing these issues,” Shuaib stated.
He added, “As the campaign already started, the joint security normally conduct operations to make sure that the metropolis is safe. We will like to ensure and reinforce all our forces including the hybrid forces marge together so that we have a very secured environment in Maiduguri metropolis.”
He explained further that many intelligence reports have been coming up and that until they work together that will ensure that things are pinned down.
Abdu said the police would continue to collaborate with the military to protect lives and property in Borno and that the command had intensified patrols in collaboration with hybrid forces to combat crimes in Maiduguri metropolis.
This article was originally published on Naija News
