The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of Nigeria Army, Major-General Obinna Ajunwa has charged soldiers to maintain high level of discipline, commitment during coming general elections.
He gave the admonition at the end of year 2022 West African Social Activities (WASA) of 15 Engineering Regiment of Nigerian Army, Badagry recently.
He said:”Our cameras will be watching you because we want these elections to be free and fair in consonance with the directive from the Commander of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Soldiers must remain apolitical, we don’t want to lose any blood, we don’t want to lose any soldiers or civilians during the general elections.We don’t want blood to be shedded, however, if there is any challenge from any person who is trying to cause mayhem, you should take decisive action to make sure it is checked”
He spoke on WASA, Ajunwa said the occasion was for soldiers to relax and wine with families and relatives after the 2022 engagement.
“From January to the end of the year, soldiers are engaged in one activities on the other in terms of training, exercise and operations among others.So, WASA is marking the end of the year for soldiers so that they can wine and dine with their families, friends and host communities in preparation for the subsequent year,” he said.
He assured host communities that the presence of soldiers or Barracks always bring peace and development to their areas.
Speaking,Lt. Col. Ibrahim Liadi, Commanding Officer, 15 Engineering Regiment, said WASA in Nigerian Armed Forces are an age-long military tradition aimed at bringing officers, soldiers and families to socialize with their civilian friends.
He said the event also showcases Nigerian rich cultural heritage and provides opportunity for security stakeholders to interact towards achieving peaceful co-existence within and around host communities.
‘This event today is to purposely mark the end of activities for the year 2022 and kick start another year in which we just spent a month.For this Regiment, year 2022 was full of operational, training and administrative activities towards ensuring that peace continue to reign within and around Badagry,” he said.
The Commanding Officer assured Ajunwa of their continued loyalty and support to the Division as well as commitment to being apolitical in the forthcoming general elections.
Chief Tunde Giro, the Depegan of Badagry, representing the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, commended the soldiers for maintaining peaceful coexistence with their host communities.
Giro promised that Akran and chiefs in Badagry and people of the town would always cooperate with the soldiers in achieving their goals.
Prizes and cash gift were given to winners of Tug of War, most disciplined and most hardworking soldiers by the GOC and C O of the Barracks.
