PDP condemns arrests by soldiers in Rivers Community

The Peoples Democratic Party Campaign council has condemned what it termed “ongoing assault, harassment and selective arrest” of the people in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers state.

The party in a statement made available to theportcitynews called the arrests by the military illegal and unlawful.

It added that as at 7 pm on Thursday, the Army drove into Ogbema community and arrested the seven innocent persons.

“In like manner, one Saturday Akeodi was grievously wounded as a military officer (with an undisplayed name tag) struck the back of a gun on the head of Saturday Akeodi in Ayama, Abua Central.

“Also, Ariye Welcome was arrested and later released along Omelema- Okpeden road after being severally beaten and his phone confiscated. Richmond Samuel E from Emirikpoko community Ward 13 Abua/Odual was harassed and beaten up as well, in his community, along with other PDP faithful”

The campaign Council noted that the wanton human right abuses barely 24 hours to the general election is a ploy by the opposition party in the LGA and state to intimidate and scare the people from coming out to exercise their civic rights so that they can manipulate the electoral process.

The campaign council, therefore, called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai to call his men at the 6 division led by Jarmil Sarham to order.

The statement also called on all international bodies and observers to call the Nigeria Government to stand true on its social contract to conduct a free fair and credible elections.

“The Abua/Odual Campaign Council restates its position that it stands for peaceful, free and fair election in the LGA and therefore, appeal to the army to immediately and unconditionally release those arrested” the statement read.