Chief of defence staff Irabor introduces training for troops ahead of next year's elections

NIGERIA'S chief of defence staff General Lucky Irabor has revealed that troops from the country's military are being offered special training ahead of next year's elections to ensure they are not compromised by politicians.

In February next year, Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a president, state governors, members of the National Assembly and members of all 36 state houses of assembly. General Irabor will be charged with maintaining security during the elections and is thus getting his troops prepared for the task at hand.

Speaking during the weekly edition of Nigeria's ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa, General Irabor assured Nigerians that the armed forces will not betray the public trust but remain neutral. He stated that security agencies are constantly under pressure to compromise elections.

According to General Irabor, security operatives come under pressure through inducements, noting that necessary measures are being put in place to ensure that they obey President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to maintain neutrality during next year's elections. He said operatives are being trained to be more professional while rules of engagement before, during and after the elections have been codified and distributed to them.