November 11 Polls: Nigerian Army To Deploy 2,300 Soldiers To Imo State

No fewer than 2,300 soldiers are expected to be deployed to Imo State for the forthcoming November 11 governorship polls by the Nigerian Army.

Naija News understands that the 2,300 soldiers to be deployed for the election would be drawn from three battalions of the Nigerian Army ahead of the polls.

The revelation was made by the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State, Sylvia Agu, during a two-day media roundtable and engagement on the election organised by the International Press Centre in collaboration with the European Union in Owerri.

Agu said the new Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Usman Lawal, had assured the commission on security when an INEC delegation visited him to inquire about their preparedness for the election.

The Imo REC noted that “Insecurity, no doubt, remains an issue. It is, however, a thing of joy that the commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, has promised to deploy enough security personnel to ensure a hitch-free election in the state.

“Indeed, he promised that over 2,300 soldiers will be deployed to the state during the 11 November 2023 gubernatorial election.”

While admitting that the 2023 general election was marred with irregularities and insecurity, Agu said, “I acknowledge that there were observable irregularities and security issues during the last presidential, national and state assembly elections.

“I urge the Imo electorate to avail themselves of the forthcoming electoral opportunity, to exercise their franchise, without any fear of molestation by the non-state actors.

“Amid insecurity in the state, we did our best to ensure a seamless and hitch-free election. I came to Imo State one month before the general election, and I was getting myself acquainted with the political environment. The burden was too much on me.”