A group of foreign and local observers has commended the Armed Forces for the peaceful conduct of the governorship and state assembly polls across the country.
The observers under the aegis of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) described the entire exercise as free and fair, noting that Nigerians exercised their franchise in a safe and secure environment.
In a statement by Princess Ajibola, the Centre admitted that pockets of violence were recorded in certain areas but the troops rose to the occasion.
Ajibola recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, had promised Nigerians of a hitch-free process devoid of intimidation, harassment and oppression.
She said the CDS met with the service chiefs and other security heads, including the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of DSS, Director-General of NIA, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) ahead of the elections.
True to his words, Ajibola said the military was on ground to provide support for the Police who are the lead security agency for the polls.
She added that there were increased surveillance and contingency actions to address areas with peculiar security challenges.
Ajibola noted that troublemakers and enemies of the country got bloody noses for attempting to cause unrest and panic.
The observers rated the military highly, describing the security agencies as the heroes of the elections having stood strong to defend the nation’s democracy at all costs.
Ajibola added that the ‘Operation Safe Conduct’ which was activated for the elections yielded positives aplenty as it guided the Armed Forces.
She further revealed that the operations centres established in the FCT and 36 states of the federation served as quick response centres for all distress calls in the event of any breach of peace during the election period.
The observers, however, urged the military and other security agencies to maintain this momentum to eliminate remnants of terrorists and criminals across the country.
Ajibola also urged the security agents to be on the lookout for violent protests that could ultimately threaten the peace of the land.
She further implored aggrieved parties from the polls to seek redress in court and avoid any tendencies that could result in chaos.
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