Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The Nigerian military has warned troublemakers to steer clear of the Niger Delta region as it would not hesitate to deal decisively with any political thug.

 This warning was handled down by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, which covers Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.

A statement from deputy director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said, “Credible intelligence available to headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has uncovered an unholy plan by some political actors within its area of responsibility to arm and sponsor miscreants in addition to using military-like fatigue dress for deception to cause pandemonium at polling stations for their political gain.”

 Iliyasu,who disclosed that efforts were on to track the source of weapons and those involved, declared that the army would clamp down on elements planning to disrupt the electoral process.

 According to him the General Officer Commanding, Major-General Jamil Sarhem, has commended the people of the Niger Delta region for their peaceful conduct and assured them of adequate security before, during and after the polls.

“While covert efforts are on-going to track the source of the weapons and the agents involved, in conjunction with sister security agencies, authorities of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, wish to unequivocally state that anyone found to be disrupting the electoral process under any guise will be decisively dealt with, in accordance with the laws, no matter how highly-placed he or she is. 

“To this end, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, and Land Component Commander, OPDS, Major-General Jamil Sarham, wishes to reassure the good people of theNiger Delta of adequate security in conjunction with other security agencies before, during and after the 2019 general election. He also thanks the good citizens of the Niger Delta for their cooperation and assistance so far rendered to the division, particularly in the area of information dissemination, and urges them to do more.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his position on ballot box snatchers and election riggers.

Dickson, however, was quick to add that he hoped the President’s directive to law enforcement agents would also extend to APC leaders in Bayelsa State known for troublemaking and election rigging.

Dickson said: “I have listened to the President’s comments calling on security agencies to deal ruthlessly with troublemakers. I hope that it applies to his party leaders in this state, who are the troublemakers, election riggers and the people using security agencies to intimidate their communities. It is heart-warming that the President has condemned those who rig elections and try to foment trouble. But in this state, we need to watch closely how the security agencies will apply that in respect of people who are known to be causing trouble in the town of Ekeremor, in Brass Island, Bassambiri and some other parts of our state. I take it that it is a presidential directive enabling the security agencies and stopping them from being blackmailed so that they will be firm now that the President has given them the go-ahead to disrupt the activities of troublemakes. I take it that they now have the presidential seal of authority in doing what is right, that is, protecting and respecting the people of this state”