The Anambra State government has said that as part of the effort to ensure a free and fair election on Saturday, March 9, the Nigerian Air Force will deploy some of its helicopters to conduct surveillance across the country.
Commissioner for information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said in a statement that the helicopters will fly at low altitudes most of the time hence “the Anambra State Government is, therefore, advising the people not to panic at the aerial surveillance especially when they see the helicopters flying at low levels in different parts of the state. The aircraft will fly at low levels to enable the Nigerian Air Force personnel to have a bird’s eye view of the situation on the ground”.
According to the commissioner, a number of innocent Nigerians, including security officers, lost their lives or were maimed during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The government, he explained, does not want a repeat of any such tragic occurrence in any part of the federation.
“The Anambra State Government calls upon all our people, particularly youths who are used by unconscionable politicians to snatch ballot boxes and foment trouble generally during elections, to resist the temptation to run foul of the law or contravene any electoral regulation.
“Our state has in the last few years acquired the reputation of being Nigeria’s most peaceful and stable state. We have held a major election without any single incident of violence before or during or after the election. All Ndi Anambra are enjoined to follow the path of peace, law and order not only during the election but also after”.