BY TIMOTHY AGBOR OSOGBO
The long arm of the law has caught up with some criminals and political thugs who unleashed terror on Nigerians across the country during the just concluded general elections, findings by The Point have revealed. No fewer than 50 suspects have been arrested by security agencies in some states that recorded high level of violent attacks before, during and after the general polls.
Elections were almost prevented from holding in some parts of the states as criminals unleashed attacks on offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, destroying the facilities and attacking officials. Though the February 11 and March 18 general elections have come and gone, it has left scars in the hearts and bodies of many, especially those who sustained injuries during the elections, while some who lost relations to the brigandage witnessed in some states are still mourning.
Among the states that recorded much violence are Osun, Lagos, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Enugu, among others. Many were killed by some political thugs while several others were brutally attacked and injured; campaign offices destroyed, vehicles set ablaze and other properties of some politicians were damaged.
Also, private houses of some contenders were set ablaze among other carnages. So far, over 50 suspects have been arrested in over seven states for assaulting, destroying electoral materials, ballot box snatchings, terrorising members of the public, especially voters among others. In Osun alone, checks by The Point revealed that no fewer than 15 persons were killed before, during and after the elections even as major political parties passed blames and accused the authority of the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police of compromise.
Aside from arrests made by the police in the state, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ has also apprehended four suspects who allegedly attacked and terrorised residents during the polls.
One of the suspects, a 35-year-old man, Tunde Abidoye, was nabbed with a single barrel gun in Ile-Ogbo, Ayedire Local Government of Osun State. He was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Ayedire Command on his activities, which included unleashing terror on residents of the town by shooting voters and destroying their properties. Confirming the arrest, the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Bashir Adewinmbi said the hoodlum was arrested by the operatives for terrorising the residents of Ile-Ogbo and its environs, adding that “the suspected hoodlum was arrested on Friday after a complaint was lodged at Ayedire Local Government Command that the suspect was unleashing terror assaults on the innocent people of Ile-Ogbo and also destroying their properties.”
“Our men swung into action shortly after the complaint was made and the culprit was arrested and a single barrel gun was found on him at the time of his arrest. The suspect was also accused of causing violence during the last presidential election in the town by shooting at the people who wanted to exercise their civic responsibility and he was planning to disrupt the House of Assembly election on Saturday before he was arrested. During investigation, he admitted to perpetrating the act,” Adewinmbi added.
The operatives also arrested two men – Afeez Olaniyan, aged 27; and Ismail Wahab, 23 – with a locally made pistol in Osogbo, the state capital. They were arrested after residents of the area accused Afeez and Wahab of unleashing terror attacks on them at Ita -Olokan area of Osogbo and its environs. Adewinmbi said, “The suspected hoodlums were arrested after receiving a distress call from the residents of the area on the activities of the suspects unleashing attack on the residents of Ita-Olokan Osogbo and its environs.
Our operatives swung into action instantly after the complaint was made, the culprits were arrested and a locally made pistol gun was found on them at the time of their arrest. Upon Investigation, they confessed to committing the act and using the firearm to protect themselves.” Similarly, luck ran out on a 37-year-old man, Ramoni Adeoye after attacking residents of Ikoyi-Ile of Isokan Local Government of Osun during the State House of Assembly election. He was alleged to have attacked one of the residents of the town with cutlass and charms.
Adewinmbi said the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
CROSS RIVER
In Cross River State, according to the State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Garba, 16 suspected political thugs were arrested in Ogoja and Obudu in Northern Cross River Senatorial District with six guns and live ammunition, during the presidential election. Speaking through the Police Public Re lations Officer, Irene Ugbo, the CP said the suspects were recruited by top politicians in the Northern Senatorial District to disrupt the election.
“They were arrested during the presidential election and paraded in Calabar and have been charged to court,” he added. On the day of the Governorship and House of Assembly election, it was gathered that a top All Progressives Congress supporter was shot dead by a soldier providing security at a polling centre in Ogoja.
An eyewitness account said the deceased, whose name was given as Joe, was a popular bike rider in Calabar and a top Cocoa businessman in the state. He was at the polling centre in Ogoja, allegedly creating tension in a rowdy manner, insisting that this time APC must win in Ogoja.
The eyewitness said that as tension and rowdy situation persisted, a soldier pulled out his gun and shot him dead, causing panic and more tension in the area. On Friday evening before the last election, there was a violent situation in the Okoyong community of Odukpani Local Council, as five vehicles in the convoy of a Peoples Democratic Party stalwart were destroyed.
Four of the vehicles were completely burnt, while the Toyota Prado Sports Utility Van (SUV) was vandalised. It was also gathered that some of the occupants of the vehicles, including a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Bobby Effiom Ekpenyong were shot, but they survived.
JIGAWA
At least, 22 suspects have been apprehended by the Jigawa State Police Command in connection with various electoral offences during the March 18 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the state. The offences included ballot box snatching, destruction of INEC materials, violence and disruption of voting process.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Shisu Lawal Adam, who confirmed the development, said investigation was ongoing to determine the level of culpability of each of the affected persons. According to Adam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the suspects will be charged to court to answer for their charges upon the conclusion of investigations.
“I can confirm that 22 suspects were arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command in respect to the election related offences, such as the destruction of INEC materials, violence and/or destruction of voting materials like ballot boxes/papers, bimodal voter accreditation systems (BVAS) machines,” Adam said.
Items recovered from the suspects as exhibits, he said, included machetes, jackknife, burnt BVAS machine as well as sticks. Giving a breakdown of the figures of the arrests, the police spokesperson said five persons were arrested in Gagarawa Local Council for allegedly burning a BVAS machine; five persons from Sakwaya, Fanisau Division in Dutse Local Council for alleged destruction of electoral materials; five persons were arrested from Kirikasamma Local Council; three from Buji Local Council, one each from Birniwa and Sule Tankarkar councils and two persons from Yankwashi Local Council.
OYO, ABIA
Some unspecified number of suspects were also said to have been arrested in Abia and Oyo States by the police in connection with electoral violence. In Abia, a medical doctor and polling agent of the Labour Party in Obingwa Local Council, whose name was given as Dr. George Chimezie, was attacked by hoodlums alleged to be agents of another party. It was also reported that about two INEC staff and some Ad Hoc workers involved in the election in that same Obingwa were attacked and held hostage for three days.
During the campaigns, a state government official identified as Tony Ojukwu, was arrested after he was captured in a viral video addressing a party rally and publicly threatening harm and even death for any voter that would not vote for the governorship candidate of the ruling party.
DELTA
Also, in Delta State, two persons were reported killed, while seven, including two INEC adhoc staff members were arrested for electoral fraud during the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state. Spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bright Edafe, who confirmed the figure, said two persons were killed in Mosogar by yet to be identified persons, who invaded the community and set ablaze a house belonging to a chieftain of APC, Wilson Omene, in Ethiope West Local Council of the state.
Edafe said the two adhoc staff members were arrested when they were found diverting electoral materials to an unknown place, while the five suspected political thugs were arrested for alleged involvement in snatching of ballot papers and other electoral offences. “The election was generally peaceful but with few skirmishes, which occurred in Mosogar. I confirm that in Mosogar, a building was set ablaze and two persons were killed, but I don’t know what led to their death,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has assured citizens that the police will remain committed to securing the nation for the safety of citizens even after the elections. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Police. Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has asked the Police to do more in arresting criminals who killed Nigerians during the polls.
He said, “It is heartbreaking that citizens who simply went out to exercise their civic duties and vote candidates of their choice were brutalised and attacked in such a horrendous and vicious manner. Protection of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of government and this responsibility must be sacrosanct including in our dear country. “It is equally disheartening that the security agencies with the constitutional duty of preventing and detecting crime have not made the arrest of the criminals who perpetrated these brutal acts a primary focus, but were instead quick to detect and arrest citizens who are using their right to free speech and social media to condemn the wrong doings of our supposed Leaders.”
