The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has blamed the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for the shootout between the military and armed thugs in Abonema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Wike at a media briefing in Government House Port Harcourt also accused personnel of the Nigerian Army for taking sides with hoodlums loyal to the All Progressives Congress.
The Governor did not spare the GOC 6 Division, Maj. General Jamil Sarham and the Commander of F-SARS, ACP Akin Fakorede for allegedly leading the onslaught on the heavily armed men in Abonema in his allegations.
He called on President Mohammadu Buhari and the International Community to hold Amaechi, the APC and the GOC 6 Division responsible for the breakdown of law and order in Rivers state.
” Yesterday, all our fears and concerns for a peaceful conduct of the general elections in Rivers State were completely vindicated as the army literarily took over the conduct of the general elections and aided armed thugs of the APC to prevent distribution of election materials, disrupt voting, snatch elections materials and chased away PDP agents from collation centres across the State.
” In Abonnema, a criminal declared wanted by the State, christened Don Pedro led a band of APC armed thugs to the Local Government’s Registration Area Centre (RAC) to forcefully stop the distribution of elections materials to the various wards and units of Akuku Toru Local Government Area.
“The people of the community resisted and insisted on having the opportunity to exercise their rights to vote for the party and candidates of their choice.
“However, instead of disarming and arresting the APC armed thugs to prevent the general elections from being scuttled, the army intervened on the side of APC militia and in the ensuing confusion and confrontation killed 15 innocent persons and wounded several others.
“As I speak, the army are ravaging the entire Abonnema community and killing young men found in their homes.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian army is searching the whereabouts of the Executive Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local government area of the State, Roland Sekibo for allegedly aiding gunmen to attack Military personnel on election duty in the area.
The Army in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa said Sekibo in collaboration with Kenneth Opusunji of Kula recruited the militia that engaged the army in a stand-off for over 4 hours.
Musa stated that a Lieutenant and 6 civilians were killed in the bloody shooting.
“Information reaching Headquarters Nigerian Army (NA) revealed that troops of 6 Division on a legitimate duty of protecting lives and properties of law-abiding citizens and ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful conduct of 2019 General Elections in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) Rivers State were attacked by some hoodlums.
“The pre-planned attack occurred in between Charles and Bob-Manuel’s compounds in Abonnema Town at about 1:00pm on the 23rd February 2019.
“The attackers barricaded a major road into the town and laid an ambush in the adjoining built-up areas from where they opened fire on our unsuspecting troops when they attempted to remove the barricade.
“The gallant troops fought their way through the siege and in the process killed six of the assailants. However, we lost a lieutenant in the encounter.
“Preliminary investigation indicated that one Roland Sekibo, – the Chairman Akuku Toru LGA, Omodo – the CSO Akuku Toru LGA and Kenneth of Kula currently at large were the masterminds of the unexpected/ unprovoked attack.
“To this end, the NA strongly hereby state that perpetrators of this ambush will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
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