The Akwa Ibom State Police command has affirmed its strong determination to resist perpetrators of electoral violence with the parade of thugs involved in killings and burning of INEC buses at Obot Akara, night before the postponed elections.
On assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State, CP Bashir Makama promised the good people of Akwa Ibom State that he will consolidate on the successes recorded so far in achieving a peaceful state. He also warned hoodlums to drop their trade or leave the state as there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state especially during the 2019 general elections.
Several electoral offenders were arrested in the week leading to the election day, despite several meetings peace treaty with political stakeholders in the State.
One Stephen Gad was arrested in possession of one locally made double barrel pistol, 145 PVCs and 27 Temporary voters cards in Eastern Obolo.
Also, on the eve of Valentine, some hoodlums set ablaze INEC office at Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. But the Policemen on guard duty intervened timely and chased the hoodlums away and put off the fire. All INEC materials are intact.
Furthermore, at 10:05pm, hoodlums at Obot Akara Local Government Area, close to INEC office, machete and killed one person whose identity is unknown, burnt 11 buses and vandalized two others. The men of Akwa Ibom State Command acted swiftly and arrested 10 persons in connection with the said crime. Among the arrested are
Nkereuwem John Etuk, Emaeyak Bassey Essiet, Daniel Peter Umoh, Ekemini Udoudo Jacob, Idongesit John Etuk, Iniobong Boniface Akpan, Ifiok Emmanuel Etukudo, Etuk Etteh Gregory, Udo Ayanyang Akaninyene, and Wisdom Ujdo Etteh.
Exhibits recovered include: Two locally made short guns, twenty-five (25) live cartridges,
Weeds suspected to be Indian hemp,
two machetes; and charms of different types.
They will all be transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
After the incident, political parties especially APC and PDP have been trading blames, accusing each of as sponsor of the despicable act.
Reacting to claims that he was part of the attacks on INEC, Hon. Monday Uko, serving Commissioner in Gov Udom Emmanuel cabinet in a press conference said he does not need to use violence to win the support of the people rather expect support from his home town as a grass root politician with his people interest.
“There’s rumor around town that I’ve been arrested. I’ve been going about my normal business. It is the responsibility of the Police to invite me if they have any questions for me to answer. Since am not a criminal, it’s only those who are guilty that are afraid. Credible intelligence from a very reliable source reveal that a plot has been hatched to plant discriminating items in my premises and cars in other to arrest and detained me. Also there’s another plot to hire some thugs who would be arrested with arms and on interrogation name me as their sponsor. If you come into the community and ask decent people they will tell you those who committed this crime. The security if they want to do their job will surely get them arrested.”
The Sports commissioner appeal to the police and other security agencies not to used by desperate people to destabilize but be professional.
Responding to the incident, Mr. Franklin Isong of the Civil Liberty Organization, CLO call the Obot Akara attack as shameful.
“However we condemn in strong terms the pre elections violence recorded in Obot Akara which led to lose of lives and properties like vehicles hired by INEC to convey electoral materials were set ablaze. CLO calls on the Police and other security agencies to fish out the sponsors and perpetrators of the insidious act and bring them to justice to forestall reoccurrences.
Just before 16th February, 2019, the Command arrested a total of 41 persons at Angellyne Guest House, No. 1 Godwin George Umoh Street, Opposite Dove International School, Osongama, Uyo who came from Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo States. They claimed to be in Akwa Ibom State as observers for the 2019 general elections but could not give proper or reasonable identification of themselves and had no INEC identification either.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO DSP Odiko MacDon who briefed newsmen assured more investigation is ongoing to determine their true identities and their purpose in the State.
“Also on 15th February, 2019 a total of 20 persons were arrested at Ukanafun who were brought from Rivers State by Uduak Ezekiel Dick ‘m’ of Ikot Akpan Nkuk, who lured into the State on the pretext of attending a burial of one Lance Corporal Udo Essien of the Nigerian Army, but ended up wanting to use them as thugs.
The Akwa Ibom State police command had since continue to make arrest of person involved in electoral crimes within the State.
On 17th February, 2019 the Command arrested one Anietie Peter in Mkpat Enin in possession of 34 Voters card. He couldn’t give any cogent reason for being in possession of such number of PVCs.
Another arrest on same was Ayaya Edem Ekpayu Bassey a.k.a “Eteka” ’m’ and Asuquo Monday Ebio ‘m’ in Ikot Ekpene who confessed to be political thugs hired from Ukwa village in Odukpani LGA of Cross River State by a Politician for the purpose of thuggery. They will all be charged to court at after investigation.
Speaking on behalf of the CP, DSP MacDon on behalf of the CP warned, “Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the CP to call on all politicians to play the game base on the rules and advice their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections.
“I also want to assure you that the non-partisan nature of the Police in Akwa Ibom State will not change. We will remain apolitical, neutral and committed to free, fair and credible elections. We will at all times act professionally based on International best practices.
“Let me thank the good people of Akwa Ibom State who have availed us with useful information which has led to our successes in the past one week. I urge you to continue to partner with us and sister security agencies to make the state retain its peaceful status.
“For those who are contemplating fermenting violence during the forthcoming re-scheduled 2019 General Elections, take notice, there will be no hiding place, as we will arrest and prosecute all those who will violate the Electoral Act or perpetrate any form of criminality in the State.”
