We won’t allow terrorists, criminals disrupt poll –Military – Newstrends
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We won’t allow terrorists, criminals disrupt poll –Military

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Theatre Commander of the Counter-terrorism operation, Joint Task Force Northeast, Maj Gen. Christopher Musa

The military would not allow terrorists and criminals disrupt next year’s general election as Nigeria is currently on global watch, Theatre Commander of the Counter-terrorism operation, Joint Task Force Northeast, Maj Gen. Christopher Musa has said.   

He told Daily Sun in Maiduguri, Borno State, that troops in the North East and various military operations across the country, have been directed by the chief of army staff to stop terrorists and criminals from disrupting the 2023 poll.

“Chief of Army Staff recently during a visit, gave us directive not to allow breakdown of law and order. We all know the situation especially in the northeast. If things are not managed particularly with electoral violence all over the country, it will have tendency to take us backward,” he said.  He reminded Nigerians that terror activities were still in in the North East though with successes by the military. He said any violence in any part of the country could trigger bigger security challenge.

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“We won’t allow anyone to disrupt the peace we are enjoying now. We won’t allow anybody to make our country fall apart,” he vowed.

He asked politicians to operate within the rules and all electoral structure provided by the Federal Government. He said the global attention is on Nigeria’s conduct of the next year election and management of her complexities.

Responding to concerns on military possible partisanship especially with the ruling party, the commander assured of military neutrality.  “We will not interfere. We assure the public of our neutrality, we will never take side. Ours is to provide security and not to take side.”

He told politicians in the North East not to allow thugs or anyone carrying arms, dangerous weapons during campaigns. He said the military would provide perimetre security while the police and other sister agencies were available for inner security all through the electioneering.

The Theatre Commander revealed various measures put in place to checkmate Boko Haram bombers and use of explosives by terrorists to scuttle the process. He urged people to participate in all election processes peacefully and not allow anyone intimidate them.

“Politicians should be free to go out for campaigns, people are free to vote anyone they want and be sure we will provide you with security because it is our duty to do so,” he stressed.

Over 50 election related violence have been reported in the country since the start of electioneering according to a Nigeria Election Violence Tracker by ACLED and Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD).

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JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

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JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

On Monday, March 18, four people were feared dead after a battle between security officers and Northern youths protesting the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association’s (COMTOA) alleged extortion.

The teenagers, organized by the Arewa Union in Asaba, attacked the office of the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) in Asaba, seeking a split from the state-controlled body.

It was alleged that the youngsters invaded several parts of the Asaba metropolis, leaving damage in its path, before heading to the office of COMTOA, on Summit Road, where they attacked members of the COMTOA Taskforce, damaging vehicles, office furniture, and making off with computers and other goods

Director General of COMTOA, Uchenna Okafor (aka Kosoko) said: “The Arewa Community are trying to form their own union so that they can avoid paying money to the State Government.

“Last week Saturday, we got information that they were about to set up a union that is different from the one the Delta State Government has inaugurated.

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“We called the SA on the Arewa Community and the Sarki of Asaba and they denied it. At about 3.00 pm that day, it was discovered that they had already inaugurated their own Arewa Task Force and that was how it started.

“They started attacking people paying for tickets through COMTOA, chasing the task force and ticket sellers but we were not deterred because the revenue is for the government.

“Yesterday, we were around GRA with the Police to enforce the law against the movement of Keke riders from 10.00 pm when we were attacked again and we eventually left the area.

“This morning, about 300 Arewa tricycle riders came to our office to attack us with cutlasses, guns, and other arms. They broke doors, windows, stole laptops, generators and phones. They also ran away with bikes”.

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Coordinator of the Arewa Community on Sales of Tickets, Hashima Abubakar, condemned the youths for violent protest and appealed to them to negotiate instead of perpetrating violence.

In a post on X formerly (Twitter), Edafe said: “They are policemen deployed to quell an ongoing protest against one of the State Taskforce in Asaba pls.”

In another post on X, he said: “There was a violent protest this morning by Okada riders who had an issue last night with the state task force that led to the death of two persons. They mobilized in their numbers this morning, destroying properties and beating people, hence our men were deployed to control the situation before it turns to something else.”

JUST IN: 4 feared killed as Arewa youths clash with police, union in Delta

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Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

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Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

In Rivers State, five persons indicted in the murder of one Umezuruike Alex have been sentenced to death.

They were convicted and sentenced on Monday on charges including conspiracy, cultism, murder and illegal possession of firearms by a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Alex, prior to his murder, was Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee, OSPAC, commander of Omudioga community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

OSPAC s a local vigilante group resident in some communities in different local government areas of Rivers State.

The convicts are Okechukwu Orji from Atali community in Obio-Akpor LGA, Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe, Morrison Igwe, all from Omudioga in Emohua Local Government Area, and Goodness Monday from Akwa-Ibom State

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The trial Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, acquitted the sixth defendant, Alex Deiwe.

The prosecution, led by Essein Edet, proved its case against the five convicts, Justice Aprioku affirmed.

Following the conviction, the judge sentenced the convicts to death by hanging, or, alternatively, administration of a lethal injection until confirmed dead.

The court disclosed that the convicted individuals not only murdered the OSPAC commander but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state prior to their arrest and prosecution.

The late Omudioga OSPAC commander, Alex, was brutally murdered and dismembered by cultists in 2021 for his efforts in combating criminal activities in the area

Rivers: Five to die by hanging, lethal injection for killing OSPAC commander

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Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

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Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed an attempted suicide bombing in Biu Local Government Area, resulting in the death of the perpetrator and injuries to two bystanders.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daso Nahum confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday.

Nahum said the event occurred around 8 pm on Sunday during the night prayers observed by Muslim faithful.

A male suicide bomber, suspected to be targeting a mosque, detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near the roundabout, resulting in his own death.

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“Two passersby who were wounded by the explosive were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment,” the police spokesman said.

Responding to the incident, Nahum disclosed that security personnel were swiftly deployed to the scene to restore order.

He emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan when late-night prayers are prevalent among Muslim communities.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

Police confirm death of suicide bomber in Borno

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