Policemen, INEC Officials Escape Death as Violence Mars Rivers Rerun

Massive violence and electoral malpractices characterised the legislative rerun elections that took place in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State

Earlier some policemen who were deployed to Ulakwo ward 14 in  Etche on official duty narrowly escaped death following an invasion by some thugs in the area.

It was gathered that the suspected thugs invaded the area shooting sporadically and carted away electoral materials meant for that ward

The officers, who narrowly escaped death, narrated that they were rescued by residents of the community who hid them in a bush in the area before they were later rescued by military troops on patrol

Our correspondent reported that four suspects were arrested at Igbodo ward 14,and detained at Okehi Divisional Police headquarters in Etche. Also that two INEC officials and one female civil defence officer were also rescued by the military and joint security operatives Igbodo community.

Similarly, Acting Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, DCP Ahmed Magaji has confirmed the arrest of 63 suspects arrested in connection to alleged electoral offences in Rivers in Etche legislative elections.

Magaji who spoke with newsmen in Ulakwo Etche, also disclosed the recovering of three 18 Seaters bus, knives, morter pistol, drugs and some empty bottles from the suspects in Etche.

Magaji said: "In the Etche Federal and state constituency rerun elections,  all security arrangements have been put in place by the police and other sisters security.

"In the course of stop and search, the security agents have made meaningful arrests. 63 persons have been arrested for different electoral offences."

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Aniedi Ikoiwak who was also at Etche, said that INEC will not accept any result from any polling units where violence or electoral was snatched.

However, the Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Samuel Nwanosike,  Odiari Princewill, Darlington Orji and  Rowland Sekibo, all PDP accredited agents were arrested  by soldiers in Ulakwo.

While being taken away, Nwanosike lamented that he has done no wrong to warrant the arrest, adding that it was another plot by the APC to rig the election.

At press time, neither the police nor the army has given reason for the arrest of the PDP agents.