Afam Aminu Chimezie
Nigerian Naval outpost, Odekpe, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has deployed over 150 officers and men to some riverine communities of the state.
The three local government areas to benefit from Navy presence are Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru.
Officers and men of the security outfit are expected to maintain adequate security presence in most communities under the Local Governments to forestall any eventual threat to peace and security in the affected local councils.
The deployment of the troops was in response to serious security challenges recorded so far in view of the country’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Just a few days ago, there were reports of fire outbreak in INEC offices at Isiala- Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Plateau State and that of Anambra in which thousands of PVC’s and card reader machines were burnt.
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The fire-out break on INEC facilities across the country, however, has been widely considered as sabotage by some faceless people to mar this Saturday election considered to be very important and a litmus test to the country’s democracy.
However, the Commander, Odekpe Naval Outpost, Onitsha, who supervised the deployment of his men on board Epenal gunboats which escorted INEC Adhoc staff with the electoral materials, Navy Captain Kabiru Mohammed, while addressing the officers and men who were over 150 charged them to be fair and civil while discharging their duties.
He reminded them of the expectation to be neutral and apolitical while performing their assigned duties, stressing that the task of maintaining a peaceful and conducive environment for Saturday election must be accomplished in consideration of its rule of engagement.
Capt. Mohammed further charged the officers and men not to succumb to the pressure of supporting any candidate or political party over financial inducements or any form of favour.
