Ahead of tomorrow’s federal and state legislative elections in Rivers State, tension reached feverish pitch, yesterday, after an Army Major and another soldier were killed in the latest burst of violence.
While the soldiers were killed in the creeks of Abonema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area supposedly by sea pirates, the capital city, Port-Harcourt was also not spared as an unidentified young man was killed with a loaf of bread he was eating in his hand, in what is believed to be an assassination.
Meanwhile, the political gladiators were unsparing in their denunciations of the actions of one another. Governor Nyesom Wike, who is marshalling the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, campaigns, yesterday, alleged plots by the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, to get the advantage in the polls through the arrest of leading PDP members, including state party chairman, Felix Obuah. He vowed that the people of the state would resist what he described as a scheme by the APC to gain the advantage.
The governor’s assertions were echoed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; Senators Matthew Urhoghide, PDP, Edo South and Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East.
The governor’s assertions were echoed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; Senators Matthew Urhoghide, PDP, Edo South and Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East.
The assertions were, however, countered by APC leader in the state and Minister of Transportation,Rotimi Amaechi, who flayed what he called the governor’s panicky political measures against the people through the declaration of two-day public holidays.
The death of the soldiers was confirmed by the Army, yesterday, in a press statement issued by the spokesman of the 2 Brigade, Captain Lazarus Eli. He said the two died during a fierce gun battle in Abonnema, Akuku Toru Local Government Area. The Brigade Commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Stephenson Olabanji confirmed the attack before Captain Eli issued a formal confirmation on the casualties. He said: “At about 11 am today, Thursday, March 17, 2016 (yesterday) troops on patrol in Abonema, Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State had a fierce encounter with unknown gunmen. Our troops displayed extraordinary valour.
Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier who sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter lost their lives.
“We are in pursuit of the criminals and we will surely get them. All law abiding citizens are urged to go about their lawful activities. The army will continue to make necessary sacrifices to ensure sustainable peace, security of lives and property of all.”
Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred on the waterways and the officer involved was of the rank of a Major. Meantime, the PDP and the APC in the state have expressed worries over the development. Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Sam Wonosike describing the attack as painful said: “It is a really painful story to hear. Security operatives should track those behind this evil act.”
On his part, spokesman of the APC in the state, Mr Chris Finebone, urged security operatives to intensify efforts to arrest those behind the incident.
“People should hearken to the call for peace. When people take violence to security agents, then we begin to worry about unarmed voters whose only job is to go and cast their votes.
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