Nigerian Army has said interventions of its men during the Rivers legislative elections which held on Saturday was to help prevent breach of law and order and acts of barbarism perpetrated by some hoodlums in various parts of the state during the exercise.
The Army was reacting to claims by Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday that its officers, alongside some members of the Nigerian Police Force engaged in ballot snatching, shooting of innocent people illegal escorts of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters during the conduct of the elections in support of a political party.
But the Army said such weighty allegations were mere farce fabricated by the Governor to ‘garner public sympathy’
“The 6 Division, Nigerian Army remained apolitical in the conduct of the election. Its soldiers provided perimeter defence to ward off hoodlums and miscreants. Nigerian Army troops were in no way involved in any form of ballot box snatching, neither were they involved in the escort of politicians as alleged,” the Army said in a statement signed by Maj.-Gen. Kasimu Abdulkarim, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6th Division
Rather, the Army said it was involved in helping to control the acts of barbarism which characterized the election, the most brutal which it said occurred at Ujju Community near Omoku in Onelga where a police patrol team was ambushed and a Deputy Superintendent of Police and his orderly killed.
While narrating the incident and other acts of criminality that charactrised the poll, the Army said, “In the ambush, 10 policemen scampered into the bush.
“The Mobile Police organized a rescue mission. Regrettably, the team discovered that DSP Alkali Mohammed of Mobile Police Unit 48 was beheaded along with his orderly.
“The patrol vehicle was taken away with weapons, 3 policemen escaped while 5 were missing in action. This is the same area where soldiers of 34 Brigade were ambushed on 20 November 2016 where a soldier was killed.
“Also on 21 November 2016, 4 personnel of NSCDC were killed and their weapons carted away.
“The alleged killing and mass arrest by soldiers in Tai, Ogoni, Gokhna-Ogoni LGA of Rivers State were false. It is true that soldiers of 6 Division Nigerian Army provided security during the Rivers State Legislative Re-run Election that was conducted today.
“In addition, the allegations made by some respected politicians regarding deep involvement of soldiers during the elections were aimed at tarnishing the positive image of the Army.
They acted swiftly in response to security breaches in order to enforce the law, provide aid to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies especially in areas like Abonema, Etche, Gokhana, Ikwere, Eleme, Tai, Khana and Omoku amongst others.
“Susceptibility of mentioned areas warranted providing security for the electoral officials, voters, international and local observers, in conjunction with other security agencies by soldiers for a peaceful election to thrive in the environment.
“These areas were rift with armed men that engaged security personnel. In Gokhana, armed hoodlums engaged the soldiers providing outer perimeter defence for the electorates.
“ In Abonema at 0730 hours today, there were 3 explosions that created bedlam. Subsequently, 11 NYSC members were abducted along with electoral materials. However, 10 of them were rescued 2 hours later by the soldiers while one was rescued about 8hrs later.
“At Emouha, Mr Oblewaremu abducted 5 NYSC members with election materials in a Siena bus. The corps members were rescued while the suspect was handed over to the Police.
“Several shooting were recorded in some communities such as Bodo, the home town of the secretary to the State Government, B-dere and Mogho in Gokhana LGA, including snatching of ballot boxes
“These attacks are reasonable evidence of violations of breach of law and order which portray the area as a flash point. Despite these barbarism, soldiers acted with civility and professionally guaranteeing peaceful election.
“Nigerian Army as a respected institution with constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, could not watch miscreants and hoodlums abducting, maiming and killing innocent citizens especially in senseless attacks on uniform personnel.
“The Rivers State Re-Run Election was adjudged credible, free, fair and peaceful in many parts of the State. Accusations of soldiers partisanship therefore was sham and phony. The Division would continue to maintain apolitical posture in discharge of its roles to ensure provision of adequate security in Rivers State.”