The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the deployment of troops to Edo State to ensure a peaceful governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024, News About Nigeria reports.
The military presence is to support the police in maintaining security and preventing any disruptions during the off-cycle election.
In a press statement released on Friday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified the purpose of the deployment.
“The presence of troops in Edo State is to thwart the activities of those elements bent on fomenting crisis during the elections,” he said.
He said that the military’s role is to guarantee that the election remains violence-free, fair, and credible.
General Buba also provided an update on military operations across the country over the past week.
Troops neutralised 159 criminals, arrested 174 suspects, and apprehended 45 suspects involved in oil theft.
Additionally, 188 kidnapped hostages were rescued by the military.
In the South-South region, the military prevented oil theft worth approximately N736.97 million.
Recovered during the operations were 151 assorted firearms, including 92 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, and 12,401 rounds of ammunition.
Troops also destroyed illegal refining sites and recovered over 788,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
In the Niger Delta, the military dismantled nine dugout pits, 35 boats, 57 storage tanks, and 71 illegal refining sites.
The operations also led to the recovery of 28,995 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,000 litres of PMS, along with cash totalling N5.39 million, 39 motorcycles, and 15 vehicles.
Buba said that the armed forces remain committed to combating terrorism and insecurity across the nation, stating, “Several of the terrorist leaders and commanders have been eliminated from the battlefield, and ongoing operations are successfully dismantling terrorist networks.”
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has deployed officials to Edo State to monitor police conduct during the upcoming election.
