Security authorities have confirmed that a Deputy Superintendent of Police
(DSP Alkali Mohammed) and his orderly were killed and beheaded during an
ambush at Omoku.
The officer, who was leading about 12 Mobile Police officers of MOPOL 48
on election security duty was said to have run into heavy gunfire attack.
Three (3) of the Police officers escaped while 5 police officers are still
missing in action. The attackers went away with the police patrol vehicle
containing arms.
Giving further situation reports on the role security agencies especially
after fingers were pointed at alleged ignoble roles by the army in the
re-run elections, the General Officer Commanding 6th Division, Nigerian
Army Port Harcourt, Major General Kasimu Abdulkarim said, “The alleged
killing and mass arrest by soldiers in Tai, Ogoni, Gokhna-Ogoni LGA of
Rivers State were false.
“It is true that soldiers of 6 Division Nigerian Army provided security
during the Rivers State Legislative Re-run Election that was conducted
Saturday.
“In addition, the allegations made by some respected politicians regarding
deep involvement of soldiers during the elections were aimed at tarnishing
the positive image of the Army.
“These people allegedly accused soldiers of ballot box snatching, illegal
escorts of some politicians, arrest and detention of voters during the
general conduct of the elections.
“The weighty nature of these allegations could cause members of the public
to view soldiers negatively, hence the need to adequately inform the
general public on the true perspective. “The public thus need to consider
them as mere farce to garner public sympathy.
“The 6 Division, Nigerian Army remained apolitical in the conduct of the
election. Its soldiers provided perimeter defence to ward off hoodlums and
miscreants.
“Nigerian Army troops were in no way involved in any form of ballot box
snatching, neither were they involved in the escort of politicians as
alleged.
“They acted swiftly in response to security breaches in order to enforce
the law, provide aid to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies
especially in areas like Abonema, Etche, Gokhana, Ikwere, Eleme, Tai,
Khana and Omoku amongst others.
“Susceptibility of mentioned areas warranted providing security for the
electoral officials, voters, international and local observers, in
conjunction with other security agencies by soldiers for a peaceful
election to thrive in the environment.
“These areas were rife with armed men that engaged security personnel. In
Gokhana, armed hoodlums engaged the soldiers providing outer perimeter
defence for the electorates. In Abonema at 0730 hours Saturday, there were
3 explosions that created bedlam.
“Subsequently, 11 NYSC members were abducted along with electoral
materials. However, 10 of them were rescued 2 hrs later by the soldiers
while one was rescued about 8hrs later.
“At Emouha, Mr Oblewaremu abducted 5 NYSC members with election materials
in a Siena bus. The corps members were rescued while the suspect was
handed over to the Police.
“Several shooting were recorded in some communities such as Bodo, the home
town of the secretary to the State Government, B-dere and Mogho in Gokhana
LGA, including snatching of ballot boxes.
“The most brutal incidence occurred at Ujju Community near Omoku in Onelga
where police patrol team was ambushed. In the ambush, 10 policemen
scampered into the bush.
“The Mobile Police organized a rescue mission. Regrettably, the team
discovered that DSP Alkali Mohammed of Mobile Police Unit 48 was beheaded
along with his orderly. The patrol vehicle was taken away with weapons, 3
policemen escaped while 5 were missing in action.
“This is the same area where soldiers of 34 Brigade were ambushed on 20
November 2016 where a soldier was killed. Also on 21 November 2016, 4
personnel of NSCDC were killed and their weapons carted away.
“These attacks are reasonable evidence of violations of breach of law and
order which portray the area as a flash point. “Despite this barbarism;
soldiers acted with civility and professionally guaranteeing peaceful
election.
“Nigerian Army as a respected institution with constitutional
responsibility to safeguard lives and property, could not watch miscreants
and hoodlums abducting, maiming and killing innocent citizens especially
in senseless attacks on uniform personnel.
“The Rivers State Re-Run Election was adjudged credible, free, fair and
peaceful in many parts of the State. Accusations of soldiers’ partisanship
therefore were sham and phony.
“The Division would continue to maintain apolitical posture in discharge
of its roles to ensure provision of adequate security in Rivers State.”