Police and military authorities on Thursday, confirmed that
1,119 persons were arrested in connection with electoral offences
during the Feb. 23 and March 9 elections across the country.
Police Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba, made this known in Abuja at a
joint news briefing by spokespersons of the police and the military
at Defence Headquarters.
Giving the breakdown, Mba said that 796 suspects were
apprehended during the Governorship and Hose of Assembly elections,
while 323 were nabbed during the Presidential and National Assembly
polls.
Mba spoke on behalf of Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Acting Director,
Defence Information (DDI) and his counterparts of the Army, Navy
and Air Force.
He said that 256 were arrested in Akwa Ibom, 117 in Imo and 109
in Kaduna State.
According to him, as investigation proceeds, this number may
either shrink or increase as the case may be.
“Some of the suspects may eventually be released without charge,
while some of them may implicate or make statements that require us
to make further arrests.
“So, this number is not sacrosanct,’’ Mba said.
He explained that the briefing was to “shed light on certain
security challenges witnessed’’ during all the elections “before
the supplementary elections’’.
On the alleged encroachment into INEC collation centre in Rivers
by soldiers, he said it was “a very serious matter and of concern
to the military and police top hierarchy’’.
Mba said the military and police high commands had ordered a
thorough probe of the incident and other isolated cases.
He said “already, several of the video footages that are in
circulation on social and online media platforms have been compiled
to assist in the investigations.’’
On the crisis between the police and military over the Rivers
incident, Mba said it had been resolved, assuring that both
agencies were no longer at loggerhead.
“The two security agencies are working in synergy to guarantee
peaceful and secure environment for all law-abiding Nigerians to
exercise their civic right of voting.
“In keeping to this mandate, we want to reiterate our joint
commitment to the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming supplementary
elections scheduled for March 23, 2019.’’
He, however, warned that any person or group of persons who may
attempt to truncate the supplementary elections would be made to
face the law irrespective of status.
Mba commiserated with the relations, friends and associates of
some Nigerians, civilians and security agents, who lost their lives
during the elections.
He said that no election was worth the live of any Nigerian, be
it security personnel or civilian, and prayed for the repose of
their souls.
Corroborating Mba, the DDI restated that the military and police
had resolved their differences arising from the incident in Rivers
during the election.
Nwachukwu said that both agencies’ high commands had expressed
serious concern about the alleged encroachment by some soldiers
into the centre in Rivers.
“We want to assure Nigerians that we will remain non-partisan
and apolitical; we will remain neutral, and of course, as
professional as we have always been.
“Once again, that incident was a very unfortunate one. It is a
major concern to the leadership of the armed forces and Nigeria
police.
“We are also mindful of the fact that the role of the armed
forces is complementary to that of the police force.
“We equally have no doubt that we are taking a back seat as the
armed forces of Nigeria, while the police force takes the lead in
the security architecture for the elections.’’
He disclosed that the gaps that brought about the unfortunate
incident had been addressed, saying “the incident is being
investigated and after exhaustive investigation, definitely, we
will issue the report.
“So, we want to assure Nigerians that nothing will be swept
under the carpet. We will be as transparent as possible,’’
Nwachukwu said. (NAN)
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Ganduje Commissions N270mn Gidan Zakka Road
Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, on Thursday evening,
commissioned the 1.1 kilometer Gidan Zakkah – Kofar Waika road in
Kano metropolis, constructed by his administration, at the cost of
about N 270 million.
Performing the function, Gov. Ganduje explained that the project
was conceived following the noticeable hardship faced by commuters
within the densely populated area, particularly during the rainy
season.
“This project is one of the road projects we constructed in Kano
city to ensure easy flow of traffic and to generally reduce
flooding, since some of the old roads do not have culverts. As you
can see this road has concrete gutters and will soon be fitted with
street lights”.
“As we can see, change is visible within this area as the
quality of homes and indeed the environment is looking modern while
people can now use their vehicles’ conveniently. Even those walking
on foot will be happier as pavements have been constructed”.
Dr. Ganduje expressed the commitment of his administration to
ensure speedy completion of more roads especially in the state
capital to consolidate its urban renewal programme.
“Because of our population and the arrival of people to do
business, our city is growing and gradually becoming a mega city.
This means that we must invest in critical infrastructure like
roads to facilitate movement of goods and services”.
The governor called on the people in the Goron Dutse – Kofar
Waika axis of Kano city to make good use of the road and to support
the government to enable it accomplish its vision.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Works, Housing and
Transport, Engr. Aminu Aliyu Wudil explain that street lights would
be installed at designated points along the road while the Kofar
Waika Gate would be reconstructed at the end of the road, to
preserve the state’s history and culture.
He disclosed that the second phase of the road, which would
cover Kofar Waika to Dawakin Tofa would commence before long.
Ameen K. Yassar
Director General, Media and Publicity,
Government House, Kano