The Nigerian Army has disclosed that it will not hesitate to comply with the directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari requiring troops to open fire on ballot box snatchers during the coming elections.
The Army said it will ‘totally and effectively’ carry out such order if it is given by their Commander-in-Chief.
“If Commander-in-Chief has given order to the Nigerian Army to that effect, be rest assured that order will be totally and effectively obeyed without any ifs or buts,” Army spokesperson Sagir Musa reportedly said.
The president was reported to have ordered security operatives in the country to shoot ballot box snatchers on sight during the forthcoming elections.
The Nigerian Army had earlier said it would deploy personnel for the elections, but only on contingent basis, on the outer perimeter of communities rather than near polling units.
President Buhari, on Monday afternoon, ordered security forces to be ruthless against anyone caught snatching ballot boxes after the electorate had voted.
”Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, maybe that would be the last unlawful action you would take. I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless.
”I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life,” the president said at a gathering of the ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday in Abuja.
The president’s order comes as Nigerians prepare to vote at the rescheduled general elections starting on Saturday.
Buhari, who was elected in 2015, is standing for reelection, with Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party being his most potent challenger.
The president’s order has ignited nationwide uproar, with critics accusing him of heating up the polity at a time both local and international groups are suing for calm.
Critics say the president’s order, even though it marks the clearest warning yet to potential political thugs, could be abused by security operatives for its blanket tone.