The military and other security agencies involved in the conduct of Exercise SAFE CONDUCT 2023, a special operation for the governorship election in Bayelsa State, have been charged to create an enabling environment for the process to be peaceful and credible.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam gave this charge on Monday, November 6, 2023 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

A statement by the acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Danjuma, said the Maj. Gen. Abdussalam also called on would-be trouble makers to desist as troops are determined to close up on them during the election.

He charged them to ensure the good people of Bayelsa State come out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice without any fear of intimidation, pointing out that is one of the ways the Nigerian Army will support democracy to thrive in Nigeria.

“We must ensure that everywhere is safe and people are able to see sufficiently that we are fully on the ground to boost public confidence in the electoral process.”

Maj. Gen. Abdussalam, who is also the Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, maintained that troops have been adequately briefed on the subsisting Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the Elections, adding that they must conduct themselves in the most professional manner before, during and after the election.

He warned that no form of complacency would be tolerated at all levels, calling on all the participating troops to ensure they do the needful as duty calls.

The GOC maintained that no stone would be left unturned in dealing decisively with any individual or group, whose stock in trade is to cause mayhem or snatch ballot boxes during the elections.

“If the trouble makers feel they have two heads, they must be ready with the second head because the first head would surely be taken off. The era of snatching ballot boxes, stuffing them, and indeed any form of electoral violence are gone.”

He asserted that adequate arrangements have been put in place to deal decisively with such threats, reassuring that in the days ahead, trouble makers would be positively identified, isolated, and dealt with.

Noting that flash points have been identified, as well as anything that will deny the electorates the freedom to exercise their franchise freely will be met with proportionate force, the GOC called on those thinking along that line to bury their thoughts, as security forces will go all out to ensure the election is conducted in a peaceful manner.

The GOC was particularly pleased with the level of synergy existing between the Nigerian Army and sister Services, which he said culminated into a joint route march, climaxing with a joint show of force in Yenagoa and environs today.

This, he further said, essentially sends a clear message to those who are bent on causing trouble before, during, and after the poll to have a rethink. He assured the good people of Bayelsa State that adequate security has been put in place to ensure a peaceful poll.