The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, has confirmed the arrest of fifty suspected electoral thugs who participated in the rerun election in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director , Communications of the Division, Col. Aminu Iliyasu.
Iliyasu in the statement said preliminary investigations show that the arrested thugs were contracted by the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Samuel Wonosike.
He stated that the the thugs were apprehended with dynamites and other dangerous weapons at Ulakwo, the hometown of the Leader of the PDP in Etche, Chief Emma Anyanwu.
The statement by the Army Spokesman also confirmed the rescue of some officials of INEC who were kidnapped before the election.
“In line with its Constitutional duties in aid of civil authority, troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army, while on Operation SAFE CONDUCT II during the re-run of the 2015 elections for Etche State Constituency II and Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency seats today arrested 62 suspects conveyed in 3 commuter buses and an SUV at Ulakwo district at about 10:00am armed with dangerous weapons.
“The eagle – eyed troops discovered dynamites hidden in the vehicles with the criminal intent of causing havoc and disrupting the election process.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one Mr. Samuel Nwans-Oike was their sponsor.
“In another development, troops have arrested another set of 73 suspected hoodlums who were bent on disrupting the electoral process at the polling booth near the INEC office in Etche Local Government Area Secretariat.
“Preliminary investigation however revealed that none of the arrested persons had valid voters card. All the suspects would be handed over to the police at the end of investigation for prosecution.
“In a similar vein, own troops at about 1:00 pm conducted a Rescue Operation at Obite village ward 10 unit 1 where 3 INEC Staff (Mr. Emmanuel Biagbor, Mrs. Udeme Sunday and Mrs. Pekele Essien) earlier kidnapped were freed. The victims were found in the house of one Chief Longinus. Investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding this criminal act is ongoing.
“To this end, Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, wishes to enjoin all law – abiding citizens to continue to exercise their civic rights without any fear of intimidation while reiterating our earlier warning to would-be trouble makers and all those that have no official business with the elections to stay clear of the elections areas or face the full wrath of the Law.”
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