2023: We will deal decisively with unwanted behavior, DHQ warns

…Mum on alleged bombing of herders in Nasarawa

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has warned the military and other security agencies will not tolerate unwanted behaviour during the polls.

Addressing journalists during the bi-weekly briefing of Defence Correspondents in Abuja on the troop activities and operational successes in the various operational theatres within the Six geo-political zones of the country in the past two weeks, Director,  Directorate of Defence Media Operations, DDDI, Maj.- Gen. Musa Danmadami, assured that the military as an institution would remain apolitical but would deal ruthlessly with any act that would be inimical to the smooth conduct of the polls nationwide.

He said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is on standby for the general elections. There is no cause for concern because the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has stated this on several occasions. We will remain apolitical but will deal divisively with any unwanted behaviour.

 “Officially, the police is the lead agency as far as election matters are concerned. They are the ones that have the mandate. The Army Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will continue to play a supportive role. We are on standby. The code of conduct of elections and rule of engagement for the election has been distributed to our troops.

“I can assure you that any unwanted behaviour during the elections will be dealt with decisively.  We are witnesses to previous elections how tensions were high and elections came and went and nothing happened. “I can assure you that the 2023 election will not be different. Let us be positive about this country. We have to be positive that nothing is going to happen and nothing is going to happen.”

The military high command was however, mum concerning alleged bombing of herders by Nigerian Airforce Aircraft in Nasarawa state.

Controversy trailed the killing of 38 herders in the Rukubi community of Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, allegedly by military operatives.

Responding to questions on the issue, General Danmadami said the military would not want to join issues with the governors of Nasarawa and Benue states. However, said the military is professional in all its operations.

“Concerning what happened at Nasarawa and Benue states borders, we are not going to say anything.  As I said earlier, operations are being carried out in different part of the country every day.

“We don’t want to join issue with anybody. The governors of Nasarawa and Benue states have spoken on the issue and we are not going to join issues with anybody.  What I want all you to know is that the Armed Forces Nigeria is very professional in the way we conduct our counter insurgency operations. Our code of conduct is clear, our rules of engagement is clear and our targeting procedure is clear. All our operations are intelligent driven.

“Our code of conduct, our rules of engagement and our targeting procedure are in line with international best practices. And I can assure you we shall continue to conduct our operations in line with international guidelines regardless of what we people are saying,” he said.