By:Felix Ikpotor
As violence marred the presidential and national assembly elections in Rivers State, authorities of the Nigerian Army, has said that it lost one officer to the violence which took place in Asari-Toru local government area of the state.
The army accused the council chairman, Hon. Roland Sekibo of being behind the attack on its men who were on their legitimate duties.
A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said that the hoodlums laid ambush for the soldiers in the area before attacking them.
The army also vowed to bring the perpetrators to book
. The statement reads this: “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”.
However, reports say one of the suspects, Kenneth Opusungi has been arrested by the army.
Meanwhile, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akuku Toru, Mr. Lol Opuende has exonerated Kenneth Opusingi from any wrong doing.
Opuende in a statement said the suspect was in Kula all through the elections.
Also, a statement from the media office of Roland Sekibo has also denied claims by the army that he had a hand in the mayhem that greeted the elections.
