COAS orders field commanders to respect election engagement rules

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has directed all field commanders to adhere strictly to the Rules of Engagement (RoEs) at the 2023 elections.

He urged them to sensitise personnel and ensure that all soldiers deployed for security duties during the polls are given personal copies and thoroughly educated on the guidelines contained in the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement, Code of Conduct being reviewed for successful free and fair general elections.

Yahaya gave the directive yesterday, while declaring open the Chief of Army Staff’s Third Quarter Conference 2022 in Abuja.

He said the Army was also firming up its preparations to provide the necessary security assistance a successful electoral exercise.

The COAS noted that the commanding officers remain tactical commanders, who lead or deploy troops.

Yahaya continued: “Talking to them directly through the conference is expected to improve their confidence, operational skills and competencies, thus enhancing the outcomes of our operations while the RSMs are well respected fathers of their formations and units, custodians of NA ethics, customs and traditions and regimentation.”

The military chief assured the electorate that the Army remains committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities and assisting in providing a secure environment for the conduct of the general elections through ‘Operation SAFE CONDUCT.’

He commended the commanders for diligence in the implementation of the decisions taken during the last conference.

“Our kinetic actions in the North East theatre of operations have continued to dismantle the cohesion of the insurgents, resulting in massive surrender of terrorists.

“This has positively impacted on the morale of troops and greatly bolstered the confidence of the citizens. Efforts must, therefore, be geared towards leveraging the gains to stamp out the miscreants permanently,” the COAS stated.

He added that the successful hosting of Nigerian Army Day Celebration in the South East recently had impacted positively on the security situation in the region, “even as the troops continue to take decisive actions against the secessionists.”

He said the troops deployed in the South South region under ‘Operation DELTA SAFE’ have continued to perform creditably with the rejuvenated joint operations leading to the arrest of several suspects and their sponsors.

He added: “ Concerted effort is ongoing to ensure maximal revenue is derived by the country from its oil ventures in the South South region.”