The Nigerian Army has warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to incite it against the authority of the federal government.
The warning was given on Wednesday by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai when he was addressing commanders and principal staff officers in Abuja.
He issued the warning in obvious reference to the charge by the presidential candidate of the leading opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that the Army should not heed President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that anyone caught snatching ballot boxes or causing any disturbance should be “ruthlessly” dealt with.
His words: “One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority. It is unfortunate to hear persons who are aspiring to rule this country are inciting the army to disobedience.
“We have consistently stated our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical. However, direct and public incitement of the Nigerian Military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated.
“I request such persons to withdraw this inciting statement. Let me reemphasize loud and clear, that the Nigerian Army is a professional army. The foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. Loyalty must be hundred per cent. I shall leave you in no doubt as to our resolve to bequeath a professionally responsive army to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian state as presently constituted, such a person has up to 22 February 2019 to resign. There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the army today.”
During the briefing, Buratai ordered the commanders to restrict movement in the areas and conduct stop and search.
Anyone found wanting, he said, should be handed over to the police.
