The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,today in Lagos advised army personnel to remain apolitical, neutral and professional as the 2019 General Elections approach.

The COAS spoke at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) 18th Annual Conflict Management Seminar held at the college in Lagos.

The COAS was represented by the Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation, Maj.-Gen. Adekunle Shodunke.

He said that the army would continue to play its role on resolving the herdsmen and farmers’ conflict and put in place measures for safe return of displaced farmers to their homes and farmland.

The COAS said that the seminar would broaden the officers’ understanding of remote and immediate causes of various conflicts in the country.

“This year’s seminar with the theme: “Building Nigerian Army Capacity for Responsive Conflict Management” is most appropriate in the prevailing security situation.

“An understanding of remote and immediate causes of the various conflicts in the country, their impacts on the society are precursors to resolving such conflicts and preventing further recurrences.

“It is my hope that the communique that will be reached at the end of the seminar will impact positively on building capacity in the army for responsive conflict management at all levels,” he said.

He said that the army under his watch had employed several conflict management techniques through mediation and town hall meetings among aggrieved parties to resolve disagreement.

Buratai also said that the army would continue to employ alternative conflict resolution techniques to resolve and manage conflicts among aggrieved parties to facilitate peaceful co-existence.

He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his assurances and encouragement of the efforts by the armed forces in combating prevailing security threats facing the nation.

Earlier, the NACOL Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Richard Duru, in his welcome address, said that the seminar was to broaden the knowledge of the students on ways of managing conflicts.

He also said the college was driving a transformation agenda in line with the COAS vision and direction.

CEOAFRICA gathered that not less than 30 students are participating in the seminar.

 Also report says that both serving and retired military officers were present at the opening ceremony.