Elections: Defence Headquarters Warns Against Impostors Planning To Cause Disruptions

Just two days before the Off Cycle gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, the Defence Headquarters has issued a statement acknowledging intelligence reports about certain individuals associated with candidates who plan to disguise themselves in military attire.

Their intention is to cause chaos and disrupt the elections in specific areas.

The Defence Headquarters would like to emphasize that there will be severe consequences for anyone involved in such actions, as the military is determined to protect its image and reputation.

During a briefing on various military operations aimed at countering threats from terrorists, bandits/kidnappers, oil thieves, and other forms of insecurity within the country, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed this information.

In response to concerns about potential collaboration between military personnel and efforts to flout electoral guidelines or incite violence, the DMO issued a stern warning.

They emphasized that standing court martial proceedings have been established, and any personnel found guilty of misconduct will face the appropriate consequences for their actions.

“It is important to highlight that the AFN is a disciplined and well-trained force that conducts its operation within the ambit of laws governing human rights and that of armed conflict. We have rules of engagement that are followed in the course of our actions. Nevertheless, there are standing court martials to put on trial any erring personnel that is found wanting during operations.”

Speaking on operations to curb insecurity and other threats, Gen Buba stated that, “Troops in the last week neutralized 113 terrorists with 300 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 25 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages.

Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refining sites, 76 dugout pits, 35 boats, 95 storage tanks, 10 vehicles, 129 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 13 speedboats, 6 outboard engines, one vessel, 3 motorcycles. Troops recovered 514,640 litres of stolen crude oil, 339,315 litres of illegally refined AGO and 775 litres of DPK.

They also arrested 57 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 47 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million Seven Hundred and Eighty-Six thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N727, 786,800.00) only.

“During the operations, troops recovered 129 assorted weapons and 717 assorted ammunition made up of one unserviceable AA gun, one RPG tube, 5 RPG bombs, one GT3 rifle, 54 AK47 rifles, 8 locally fabricated rifles, one locally made rifle, 2 pistols, 2 pump action guns, 2 Dane guns, 4 locally fabricated pistol, 3 skeleton of AK47 rifles, 9 hand grenades, one unserviceable AK47 rifle, 14 magazines, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 40 live cartridges.

“Others are: 53 rounds of 5.45mm x 39mm ammo, 35 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of a short gun, 11 rifle bodies, 7 breech blocks, 7 rifle butts, 8 rifle muzzles, 9 piston assemblies, 210 springs, one drilling machine, hand filling machines, 10 magazine purges, IED making materials, 4 Boafeng radios, 15 motorcycles, and 20 mobile phones.”

In the North East, troops in ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country substantially inflicted casualties on terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists through operations ranging from fighting patrols, ambushes, and raids to air interdictions.

This resulted in 67 neutralized terrorists with 190 arrested. Troops also arrested 57 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 47 kidnapped hostages.

Buba further added that , “The military will continue to deny the terrorist, insurgents and violent extremists the ability to achieve their selfish objectives.

“The war is on and their days are numbered, unless they surrender.”

On the circulation of old footage of incidences that occurred in yesteryears that have been tried at court-martial being circulated as though they were recent occurrences, he said “It is mischievous. The public should be weary of such groups and their motive”.

 “It is important to highlight that the AFN is a disciplined and well-trained force that conducts its operation within the ambit of laws governing human rights and that of armed conflict. We have rules of engagement that are followed in the course of our actions. Nevertheless, there are standing court martials to put on trial any erring personnel that is found wanting during operations.

“There is therefore the need for us to be circumspect of groups and organizations that embark on misinformation and disinformation to give the military a negative image. They have ulterior motives for their actions.

“The public should be weary of such groups and their motive.”