As our C-in-C, we’ll ‘totally’ obey Buhari’s order on ballot box snatchers ‘without any ifs or buts’- Army

The Nigerian Army has reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on Monday that all those planning to snatch ballot boxes and disrupt elections will do so at the expense of their lives.

The president made the statement at the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting on Monday.

President Buhari had said, ”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”.

Read also: BALLOT SNATCHERS: ‘Law-abiding’ Buhari never issued any ‘shoot on sight’ order- Tinubu

When contacted for its response by Premium Times, the Nigerian Army said it will obey ‘totally and effectively’ such an order if it is given by Buhari.

“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 said.

The Nigerian Army had earlier said it would deploy personnel for the elections, but only on contingent bases on the outer perimeter of communities rather than near polling units.

This position following the president’s statement, would require a shift in engagement.

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