The 6 Division Nigerian Army has paraded 53 suspects arrested for various electoral offences in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State.

Parading the suspects at the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said 39 suspects, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, political thugs were arrested.

 

 

He said they were arrested between February 21 – 23, 2019 in Degema, Gokana and Andoni local government areas of the state.

He said, “on February 21, at about 5:30am troops of 130 battalion deployed at the checkpoint along Harris town, in Degema LGA of Rivers State arrested Mr Alologha, Victor Peter, Felix Hart, Life Christopher, Moses John, Peter Igidigi, Prince Justice, Souyo Peredonuni, Lucky Bagiri, Wisdom Edero, Michael Aye, Thoheed Amusa and Peremobowei Augustine.

 

 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of the Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC). The suspects travelled from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to Harris town, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State and had a meeting with Alhaji Asari Dokubo.

“The suspects were aboard a bus with Reg No. OSUN WWD 572XA with the inscription of NDDC Assisted Mass Transit. The purpose of the meeting could not be ascertained”, he said.

 

 

On alleged conspiracy and diversion of NYSC members and ad hoc staff for rigging of the election, Iliyasu said, “on February 23 at about 1:30pm, following a tip off, own troops deployed at Gokana general area for OP SAFE CONDUCT Presidential and National Assembly elections 2019, arrested 39 suspects including 11 corps members and one driver.

 

 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were moved to the hotel to rig the election in favour of a political party. Items recovered from the hotel were 34 ballot boxes loaded with ballot papers, three card readers, 10 bags containing electoral materials and a Toyota Hiace bus with Reg No: LAGOS EQ 171 KRD.”

Another suspect, Gogo Marsha was also paraded for being in possession of over 30 voters cards and voters list from Asarama in Andoni.

 

 

The suspects were handed over to the police by the 6 Division Garrison commander, Adeola Kalejaiye, who represented the General Officer Commanding the Division, Maj. Gen. Sarham Jamil.

Receiving the suspects on behalf of the Cmmissioner of Police, ACP Victor Onyeugo, from the State Criminal Investigation Department, said the police would investigate the matter and prosecute anyone found guilty.

Source: Daily Trust