The Chief of the Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, says military intelligence has revealed that some politicians were planning to perpetrate acts of violence to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Buratai who said the army will not allow such politicians to succeed, stated this on Wednesday in his opening remarks at a strategic meeting with Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and field commanders at the army headquarters in Abuja, ahead of Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.
The Army Chief said during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, some level of violence was recorded leading to “disruption of polls, burning of ballot boxes in some areas as well as loss of lives, including the death of an officer and three soldiers.
The army chief warned soldiers that associating with politicians during election period was prohibited, urging “commanders to deal decisively with any electoral crime or action such as thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of electoral materials and firearms as well as other crimes that would mar the smooth conduct of the election.
PUNCH/BEN