The Nigerian Army has fingered the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Roland Sekibo, and two others as culpable in the election day mayhem that happened in Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State. 

Sekibo was yet to react to this allegation as at the time of this report. 

In a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, the army claimed that hoodlums attacked its men who were on election security patrol in Abonnema during the  presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 23, 2019.  

Below is the the statement:

PRESS RELEASE

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