By VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA-THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has warned officers and men of Nigerian Army to be wary of inducement from politicians as the 2011 general election approaches, saying any officer or soldier found wanting during the period of the general election would be severely punished.

He gave the warning at 302 Artillery Regiment Barracks, Onitsha, while addressing officers and men of the Cantonment, as part of his tour of military formations and units in the country.

He said: “Officers and soldiers should be very wary of inducement from politicians. If you are caught, you will be severely punished.  All those polling boots duties are for the police and not for the army.”

He said that commanders of Army formations and units will brief their officers and men on what to do during the election, adding that they will also distribute code of conduct that contains dos and don’ts during the election to guide officers and soldiers.”

He explained that officers and men in volatile areas like Niger-Delta, Aba, in Abia State, Jos, Plateau State capital, Maiduguri, Borno State capital and some parts of Bauchi axis, would remain until the situation improved or if the President gave them order to leave.