The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has called for synergy among the Security Agencies in Kogi towards achieving peaceful and violence-free November 11 Governorship election in the state.
General Musa made the call at the stakeholders meeting with Heads of Security Agencies held at the Headquarters of the 12 Brigade Nigeria Army in Lokoja.
The General noted that there were lots of negative issues during election in Kogi, which include; violence, ballot box snatchings among other vices.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu has directed that he did not want any form of violence or other vices to happen during any election again.
According to him, the Nigerian Army must work in synergy with other sister security agencies to provide a peaceful and enabling environment before, during and after the election in the State.
The CDS assured the residents of adequate security, saying the Armed Forces would be fully on ground towards ensuring a peaceful, violence-free and credible governorship election in Kogi.
He described Kogi as very strategic and important to the country, saying that was why President Tinubu was very particular about a peaceful election in the State.
He assured of maximum security to enable people to exercise their civic responsibilities.
The stakeholders present were: Heads and Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), NAVY (NNS LUGARD).
Others include the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Services, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.
The stakeholders in their separate comments, promised to ensure effective collaboration among the security agencies in order to achieve peaceful violence free poll.
Earlier, the CDS addressed the troops where he charged the Command to work in collaboration with other security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve a credible election.
The CDS cautioned the officers and soldiers if the Nigerian Army against involvement in illegal activities during the election, saying they should not compromise their duties with money or anything from the politicians.
He stressed that whoever was caught in such act would be dismissed and sent to jail.
He emphasised that President Tinubu had done everything possible to take care of Armed forces and now the time for officers to do their work.
He urged them not to take part in favour of any politicians.
General Musa also advised the officers and soldiers to maintain Human Rights in the discharge of their duties, but should not hesitate to bring down any civilian that is carrying arms, saying it is a taboo for a personnel of the Nigeria Army to run away from a civilian that is carrying arms.
The CDS after the stakeholders’ meeting paid a courtesy call on the Gov. Yahaya Bello at the Government House Lokoja, where he was received by His Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja.
. TheWitness
