Osun Guber Poll: Army Deploys Operation SAFE CONDUCT, Warns Troops Against Bias

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has charged troops deployed to provide security during the August 15 Osun State governorship election to remain professional and adhere strictly to the Code of Conduct for Election Duty.

Mahmuda gave the charge on Friday, August 7, 2026, while addressing troops deployed to support the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) during the election at the Engineer Construction Command (ECC), Ede, Osun State.

He said the deployment, codenamed Operation SAFE CONDUCT, was part of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of providing aid to civil authorities, stressing that the NPF remained the lead agency responsible for the conduct of elections in the country.

According to him, the troops are expected to provide outer-cordon security and respond only when called upon, warning them to stay away from polling units unless required to intervene in response to security threats.

Mahmuda, according to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, emphasised the importance of the assignment, saying the responsibility placed on the troops required the highest level of discipline, professionalism and impartiality.

He urged the soldiers to shun sentiments, bias and actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process, stressing that their conduct must at all times be guided by the national interest.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, expects nothing short of professional conduct from you in support of the Nigeria Police Force,” the GOC said.

He further directed the troops to maintain a robust but civil disposition throughout the election period and avoid harassing, intimidating or interfering with voters and other citizens.

Mahmuda assured the troops that all necessary logistics and other requirements for the smooth conduct of Operation SAFE CONDUCT had been provided, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Nigerian Army and the nation.

The GOC also appealed to residents of Osun State to have confidence in the security arrangements put in place for the election, assuring them that the deployment was primarily aimed at maintaining law and order and creating a safe environment for citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

He said the security personnel would not harass voters, but would ensure that threats to public peace and the electoral process were dealt with appropriately.