By Joe Ebi, Benin
An Ijaw group under the auspices of Ijaw Liberation Movement, Edo State, has alleged that there were plots by suspected militants to disrupt the coming October 10 governorship election in Ondo State.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Security, Ezekiel Daniel, alleged that a militant leader was mobilised from Ondo to Edo State to disrupt the September 19 election in the riverine area but that the attempt was foiled by soldiers.
He further alleged that in their frustration, the militants were shooting sporadically and in the process killed Mrs Odogbo.
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He therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu to investigate the killing of one Mrs Odogbo from Ajakuruma in Ovia South West Local Government Area.
Ezekiel further alleged that the militants were presently camping at an Ijaw town of Nikhorogha in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State from where he alleged they would mobilise to Ondo State.
Flanked by Mr. Ogidigba Godstime, Kenneth Ajuwaye and others, Ezekiel said, “The Inspector General of Police and the state government should do something about the militants’ camp at Nikhorogha. They are busy recruiting militants and camping them at Nikhorogha to cause mayhem in Ondo State during the forthcoming election.
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“They came to Edo to do the same disruption and snatching of ballot papers. We heard this information, we confronted them and their leader claimed he is a chieftain of the APC and would not listen to us but fortunately a military formation in the area foiled their attempts and in their frustration, they started shooting sporadically and that was how the innocent woman was killed. They came in 20 boats with over 200 militants” he alleged.
He raised fears that the situation could lead to upsurge of violent crimes after the elections.
“What happens after the Ondo election? We are presently trying to manage the problem of herdsmen in the country but we will be having another crisis if the activities of militants at Nikhorogha is not checked. I am sure they will turn their guns against innocent people after the Ondo election”, he added.
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