The Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has directed Flag Officer’s Commanding, and Commanders of the Nigerian Navy at all levels to ensure that their men adhere to their rules of engagement and Standard Operating Procedure, SOP during the 2023 general elections.
“You should also sensitize your personnel on professional conduct, during the entire period of the 2023 elections,” he said.
The CNS, gave the charge at a sensitization meeting he summoned for Principal Officers, FOCs and Unit Commanders of the Navy, ahead of the polls.
During the meeting held at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Vice Admiral Gambo also reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to assist other security agencies to provide a conducive atmosphere prior, during and after the elections.
The CNS further, noted that senior officers of the Nigerian Navy must strategize towards maintaining a robust force structure to be complimented by capabilities of other security agencies for a conducive environment, particularly within the country’s maritime domain.
He warned that partiality or actions that could be interpreted to portray the Nigerian Navy as being partisan will not be condoned.
Gambo also disclosed that officers and ratings will soon mount aggressive patrols before, during and after the polls, so that law-abiding citizens will gather the confidence to go about their businesses.
His words, “Again, enforcement of law and order throughout the period of the election and beyond, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, sister services and other security agencies is non-negotiable”.
He reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s policy
on Safeguarding ‘Communication Security while adhering to relevant social media regulations.
“This is necessary to forestall the abuse of the social media by our Naval personnel”, he said.
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