Nigeria allays fear over military deployment for general elections

The deployment of military personnel for the general elections in Nigeria will not interfere with the electoral process, the government said Thursday.

Minister of State for Defense, Rtd. Col. Austin Akobundu, who made this known in a statement reaching Xinhua, said the military would only complement the police and other security agencies to maintain law and order during the polls.

"I want to assure Nigerians of a violence-free general elections, which will commence with the presidential poll on Saturday, March 28," he added.

According to him, those arguing against the military coming out to maintain security during the elections should be rest assured that their presence will not interfere with the electoral process.

The defense minister said it is the constitutional duty of the military not only to defend the territorial integrity of the country but assist the police in maintaining law and order when necessary.

He advised Nigerians to come out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear of molestation. Enditem