Nigerian Army has blamed the local government chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Roland Sekibo, for the violence which erupted in Abonnema on Saturday during the Presidential and national assembly elections.
The despicable violence led to the death of at least 20 persons including a soldier, although officials are claiming that 6 persons died.
Nigerian army in a statement by the army spokesman, Sagir Musa, a Colonel, said that the attack was pre-planned.
The army said that troops killed six persons while a soldier died in the incident.
The statement reads
ARMED POLITICAL THUGGERY IN ABONNEMA, RIVERS STATE
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.
You are requested to disseminate this information to the public please.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
23 February, 2019
