*Warns troublemakers to stay clear of inauguration venue
*Says no hiding place for terrorists
* FG Unveils Swearing-in Programme
By Nicole Augustine
Nigeria’s military has assured that no amount of organized protests by groups will hinder the smooth handover of federal power to a new administration on May 29.
The military’s stand in not unconnected to recent calls by some individuals for Interim Government and threats by terror groups to halt the transition period.
There had been series of pro and anti-protests in the aftermath of the largely disputed February 25 presidential election which saw Bola Tinubu, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, emerge as President-elect.
Various groups had called on incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari to install an Interim Government to be in place after he exits power on May 29, while some others have called for the arrest of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami while briefing newsmen at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, said measures have already been put in place by the military and sister security agencies to ensure that the handover takes place successfully.
On operations of the military in the South East, Danmadami informed that “troops of Operation Udo Ka have sustained the offensive against the outlawed Indigenous people of Biafra/Eastern Security Network and other criminal activities in the South East zone of the country. On 8 May 2023, troops responded to activities of kidnappers attack on motorists along Road Nimbo-Opanda in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. On sighting the troops, the suspects fled into the bush with the kidnapped victims. Troops pursued the criminals and rescued the 4 kidnapped civilians”.
Meanwhile, the Military also warned that there will be no safe haven for terrorists migrating from its onslaught in the North East and North West into the North Central part of the country to unleash mayhem on citizens.
Major General Musa Danmadami, while responding to questions from journalists, disclosed that the intensity of troops’ operations in the far north is pushing the terrorists to the Middle Belt region.
He however said that there will be no hiding place for them as long as citizens are willing to cooperate by providing timely information on the possible hibernation of the terrorists.
The General noted that the intensity of military operation in the Sambisa Forest is forcing out broken terrorists to surrender to troops.
Danmadami further condemned the recent massacre in Mangu Community in Plateau State, in which over 100 persons were reportedly killed by suspected terrorist fleeing military onslaught in the North East and North West.
The attack in Mangu was carried out in two days overnight attacks. Houses, foodstuffs, and farms were reportedly razed down by the assailants.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Thursday, unveiled the Inauguration Programme for the president-elect, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima.
This was made known in a post shared by the Director Media and Publicity Tinubu/Shettima Campaign, Bayo Onanuga, on Twitter on Thursday.
Sharing the programme he said, “Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha unveils the Inauguration Programme for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 16th President of Nigeria. The events begin 23 May.”
Tinubu and Shettima would be sworn in as the president and vice president of Nigeria on May 29, 2023.
