The Nigerian Army has stated again that it is prepared to provide Borno with the necessary security before, during, and after the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25.
In launching “Operation Show of Force” on Monday in Maiduguri, Brig.-Gen. Jafar Ibrahim, commander of the 7 Division Garrison, Operation Hadin Kai, made this statement.
The five-day exercise, which would be carried out in coordination with other sister security agencies, would assist reassure the locals of their readiness to ensure that the elections were fair, free, and credible, according to Ibrahim.
He said that the activity was intended to boost voter confidence and help them understand the need of turning out in large numbers to support candidates of their choice during the elections.
“This exercise is not something new. It is a tradition that usually happens every four years and the aim is to reassure the people that the elections will hold and that it will be peaceful in the state.
“It is against this background that the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, has mandated us to synergise with other security agencies to conduct this show of force from February 20 to February 24.
After the drill, the troops will be domesticated to their respective groups.
He said, “The preparation is not only from the inside; it started long ago from the deep penetration of the terrorists’ enclaves, which resulted in the recorded successes.”
Ibrahim declared that the poll would take place throughout the state’s 27 local government units.
“However, we have two local governments, Marte and Guzamala, where arrangements are being made for them to cast their votes in the local government headquarters and IDP camps due to security challenges,” he added.
