Rivers rerun: How we rescued 5 NYSC members - Army official statement

Rivers rerun: How we rescued 5 NYSC members - Army official statement

- The Nigerian army has revealed how they went about saving the abducted NYSC members

- The army also revealed that a police officer and his orderly were killed in the violence

- The army refuted claims that they were partisan in the Rivers elections

Army involvement in Rivers re-run election
Army involvement in Rivers re-run election

The Nigerian army has revealed the details of their involvement in the current Rivers rerun elections.

First, the army made it clear on their official Facebook page that accusations of the soldiers been partisan were false, saying:

"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."

Speaking on why the army was forced to make a statement, the army said the accusations had to be properly addressed, stating:

"These people allegedly accused soldiers of ballot box snatching, illegal escorts of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters during the general conduct of the elections.

"The weighty nature of these allegations could cause members of the public to view soldiers negatively, hence the need to adequately inform the general public on the true perspective.

"The public thus need to consider them as mere farce to garner public sympathy."

The rescue of the abducted National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members featured prominently in the statement.

READ ALSO: PDP wins first house of reps seat in Rivers re-run election

"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.

"The most brutal incidence occurred at Ujju Community near Omoku in Onelga where police patrol team was ambushed. In the ambush, 10 policemen scampered into the bush," they said.

On a sad note, the army revealed the death of DSP Alkali Mohammed during a rescue mission by the mobile policemen, saying:

"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 November 20, 2016, where a soldier was killed. Also on November 21, 2016, 4 personnel of NSCDC were killed and their weapons carted away.

"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."

READ ALSO: Rivers rerun poll: 3 die as Amaechi misses out on voting exercise

The Nigerian army concluded by stating the following:

"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."

Below is a video of the army speaking on the Rivers re-run elections:

Source: Legit.ng

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