Dickson
•Explains role in ensuring peace
•Sylva dismisses commission of inquiry
•Sylva dismisses commission of inquiry
The Nigerian Army yesterday broke its silence on the allegations that its personnel took sides in the stalemated governorship election in Bayelsa State, and said that its involvement saved the state from being overrun by thugs.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Chief Timipre Sylva, also yesterday dismissed the Commission of Inquiry set up on Friday by his main rival, Governor Seriake Dickson, to probe the violence that greeted the election, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that fake dollar notes printed by the APC to induce the people to vote for it now floods the state.
The Commander, 2 Brigade of the army, Brigadier-General Stevenson Olabanjo told reporters in Yenagoa that soldiers were drafted in to support the police, secure materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and help boost the confidence of the civilian population.
He said that a task force – Operation Safe Conduct (OSC)- constituted by the army for the election was professional in the discharge of its duties ,which he said made it impossible for thugs sponsored by politicians to overrun the state while the poll lasted.
He cited Clough Creek where, according to him, soldiers nabbed three youths with suspected stolen Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and handed them over to the police for investigations.
He also said that his men met a highly tensed situation in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the state caused by supporters of the main parties and the influx of arms into the communities particularly Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw.
He said sporadic gunshots ensued in Oporoma following attempts by unidentified rival gunmen to hijack sensitive electoral materials.
The army boss said the troops swiftly responded to the situation and succeeded in arresting five suspects and recovering five AK47 rifles and some ammunition.
He said the election in Southern Ijaw was shifted to December 6th to ease the tension in the area but added that the sudden appearance of one of the candidates aggravated the charged atmosphere.
He mentioned no name, but Governor Dickson who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid a surprise visit to Oporoma on that day.
He said: “Unfortunately, the sudden appearance of one of the candidates fuelled the already charged atmosphere in Oporoma. At this point, the INEC staff in the area made it clear to him that his action was a breach of the Electoral Act.
“The military officer in charge of the troops deployed to Oporoma also met the candidate and advised him to leave the area because his personal security could not be guaranteed.”
Olabanjo said on December 6, the troops intercepted a speedboat conveying nine persons and carrying five AK47 rifles and some ammunition on Olugbobiri River.
He said the suspects were handed over to the police.
The Commander said the military is always ready to “act in line with the provisions of the Constitution in providing adequate security for lives and properties during elections.”
Receiving five of the rifles from the army, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Oki, nine suspects who were handed over to him by the army had been transferred to the Headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja.
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