CGS Chief of
defence staff
CGS Chief of
defence staff General Olonisakin
2019 Elections: Nigerian Armed Forces to Support
Security Services- CDS
It has become necessary to issue this statement following the
meeting of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and security and
intelligence agencies, which has just ended.
In the last few months, various security agencies have been
reviewing their strategies to ensure adequate security and
protection for all Nigerians and other nationals living in Nigeria
before, during and after the General Elections in February and
March 2019.. This is in line with our various constitutional
responsibilities. There have also been several inter-agency
collaborations and harmonization of these strategies. The meeting
we have just had involved the heads of these agencies to ensure we
further harmonize our strategies to provide adequate security for
the smooth conduct of the general elections.
In 2 days’ time, the 2019 General Elections will begin. The
Nigerian Government, the people of Nigeria as well as the
international community are all desirous of a free, fair,
transparent, credible and most importantly, violence free
elections. Mr President, Commander-in-Chief has also told us in
clear terms in our meeting with him, of his commitment to free,
fair and credible elections. I wish to say that the Armed Forces of
Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies are
also committed to a violence free elections and that all Nigerians
eligible to vote are able to carry out their civic responsibility
and vote for candidates of their choice without any fear of
molestation by any person or group.
We are not unaware of plans to illegally use uniforms of
military/paramilitary agencies to impersonate security and law
enforcement agencies; illegal possession and use of firearms to
intimidate and harass members of the public; and other acts likely
to cause security breaches. Let me warn that the Armed Forces of
Nigeria and other security agencies will not tolerate any act that
is likely to cause security breaches before, during and after the
elections, and will deal decisively with these acts irrespective of
those involved.
Members of the public are also advised to disregard the call to
stay at home on the day of the election being circulated in some
parts of the country. The stay-at-home leaflets being circulated
and similar on-line messages are part of the handiwork of mischief
makers who are bent on scuttling the process and should be ignored.
I want to assure the general public that the security services are
prepared to support the Police to ensure safe conduct of the
elections.
It is important to reiterate that law enforcement agencies will
remain apolitical. Besides, Code of Conduct for the Armed Forces of
Nigeria for the 2019 General Elections have been issued to the
Services and security personnel that will be deployed for election
security duties. All other personnel who are not so deployed for
election security duties have been directed to steer clear of the
elections apart from exercising their rights to vote for candidates
of their choice. I would also like to appeal to all Nigerians to
adhere strictly to the restrictions on movement during the period
of the elections. Violators of the restriction on movement, no
matter how highly placed, will be arrested and detained. However,
this restriction does apply to those on election security duties,
local and international observers/monitors and emergency and
security services personnel on authorized duties only.
Finally, I wish to assure all peace-loving members of the public
of the preparedness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other
security agencies to support a peaceful 2019 General Elections and
to encourage all to go about their legitimate activities without
fear of intimidation. I also want to encourage us to promptly
report all suspicious activities to the law enforcement agencies.
Thank you and God Bless.
General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin
Chief of Defence Staff