2019: Army to raise special court martial on partisan personnel

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Nigerian Army has announced plan to set up a special court martial to investigate any of its personnel, hobnobbing with politicians or engaging in any act of partisanship.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, disclosed this yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference 2018, at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, Abuja.
Buratai also said the army authority would not hesitate to deal appropriately with any General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Field Commander that “runs afoul of his professional ethics.”
He said: “Let me state emphatically here that the unity and integrity of Nigeria lays on the military and the Nigerian Army in particular. Therefore, any act inimical to the unity and integrity of this country by personnel of the Nigerian Army will be decisively dealt with. The
NA must remain apolitical and professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“You are all enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under your command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct and rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties, particularly in the coming 2019 General Elections.
“Furthermore, Nigerian Army personnel in any capacity, who receives any form of inducement from politicians, public or private entities, knowingly or unknowingly will be severely punished. Both the giver and taker of such inducement will be investigated and appropriately sanctioned.
“I must state clearly that any officer or soldier who wishes to be sympathetic to a political, religious or ethnic group should voluntarily retire from the Nigerian Army. Furthermore, all are reminded on the ban on any form of worship outside the barracks except those permitted for wedding and other social functions.
“Therefore, officers and soldiers must restrain themselves from any act of political, religious or ethnic patronisation as these would attract severe consequences. The fate of the 38 officers who were retired is still fresh in our memories.”
He said the Nigerian Army was collaborating with indigenous companies in the local production of vehicles, weapon and equipment spares, as well as combat materials, in line with the federal government’s drive to boost local content and patronage, and to boost local production and enhance growing military industrial complex.
“In the First Quarter of 2018, I directed the procurement and supply of weapons, UAVs, vehicles, tyres, protective gears and spares to the Theatre for enhanced operations.
“Commanders at all levels are, therefore, enjoined to ensure judicious use and periodic maintenance of the items under their Command.
“The Corps will give the Nigerian Army an opportunity to re-organise the women in order to derive the maximum benefit from their contribution to the defence and security of our nation,” he said.