…6 Division Nigeria Army to respond to the allegations

…National Youth leader faults allegations of partisanship Army GOC ,SARS Commander in Rivers State

..…Dismisses Calls  for their redeployment

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Governor of Rivers had in less than 48 hours made the third allegations of alleged sundry criminal offences against General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham.

 The latest of  his claims was  that he survived  an assassination attempt on his life on Thursday night after soldiers allegedly sent by Major General Jamil Sarham confronted his security details.

Governor Wike also alerted Nigerians  that the military is allegedly supplying  fake uniforms to militants   allegedly hired by the APC  for the purpose  of  disrupting the elections and unleashing mayhem.

Speaking after a meeting with officials of the British High Commission at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday , Governor Wike said the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has been taking very unprofessional measures to silence PDP members.

He said that he has informed the British High Commission  and other foreign missions of the anti-democratic  actions of the security forces, especially the  Nigerian Army.

He said: “Last night; the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army plotted an assassination on my life. Thank God, that was not successful.

“On Friday, 15th of February, a day to the 16th of February, the first date for the elections before it was rescheduled, the GOC sent soldiers to cordon off my private residence.

“Yesterday, I was shocked that when I left Government House to see some political leaders, soldiers were trailing me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t have military security details.

“Along Abacha road where you have Algate Hotel, to my surprise I heard my security men shouting that the soldiers are behind us. I have said this severally about the GOC of the 6 Division that nobody should kill because he was promised the position of Chief of Army Staff “.

The governor also alleged that the General Officer Commanding the Division can be promoted a Chief of Army Staff without killing anyone. He said that there is no need to kill innocent people for a personal ambition.

He said that Rivers State is strategically positioned in Nigeria and should not be destabilised for political goals.

“Rivers State is so important to this country. The economy of Nigeria cannot survive without Rivers State. By what they are doing, they are scaring investors away”, Governor Wike said.

He urged the President to talk to the Army to reduce their level of partisanship and illegal activities ahead of the elections.

“The GOC held a meeting with the soldiers yesterday and said they must do everything they can to ensure that the President wins. That is not good. Allow Nigerians to support whoever they want to support”, he said.

He said there is no reason for any fight in the state because the APC is not running the Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly Elections in Rivers State.

He regretted that the Nigeria Army has started arresting PDP in Eleme and other Local Government Areas. He said that 182 persons have been penciled down for arrest by the Army.

Governor Wike  decried the supply  of  military uniforms to APC militants  because  it would have  post lections  negative  consequences.

Earlier, the Political Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Louis Edwards said that they were in the state to observe the Elections.

She said that the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Rivers State assured her that things would work well. She said that she is looking forward to a peaceful Elections.

But the Army has described Wike’s claims as cheap lies and attempt at blackmail

“It is clear that the political atmosphere in our country has reached its crescendo with political actors outwit ting each other. However, most worrisome is the activities of some politicians who find pleasure in maligning the NA.

“Ordinarily, 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) as a respected institution would not join issues with any politician or political organization as the NA has over time reiterated and demonstrated its apolitical posture and professional responsibility in line with the Chief of Army Staff constant directive.

“However, in the light of irresponsible utterances, through politically motivated allegations against the Division in the last one week, compelled the Division through this medium to warn mischief makers to stay clear of the NA.

“Available intelligence report has it that series of planned campaign of column against the Div and its leadership is being perfected.

“For the record, 6 Div expects more from these detractors. The NA through the Div wishes to reiterate its determination to ensure the conduct of a secured, peaceful a credible 2019 general elections.

“Let me reiterate further the resolve and commitment of the Nigerian army under the command of Lt Gen TY Buratai to having a professionally responsive Nigerian army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

“To this end, we enjoined the electorate to avoid actions that could create chaos and insecurity during and after the elections. The public in 6 Division Area of Responsibility are requested to report suspicious actions or movement to the following numbers: 09027771482   07055554967   09069799721   08180690553,” the Army said in a statement by Colonel AMINU ILIYASU, Deputy Director Army Public Relations.

Also, the President of the National Youth Coalition of Nigeria ,Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has faulted allegation of bias and partisanship by the Rivers State Government and some politicians in the state against the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, GOC in Rivers State Major General Jamil Sarham and the Commander of the Special Anti-Ribbery Squad in the state Akin Fakorede.

The youth President Sukubo Sara-Igbe in a statement he personally signed said the allegation against the two security chiefs are unfounded, spurious and unsubstantiated.

He described the GOC of 6 Division and the SARS Commander as professional, non-partisan and courageous security chiefs.

Sukubo Sara-Igbe said rather than criticize and call for their redeployment, the duo should be commended and rewarded for putting their lives and that of their men on the line for the security of Rivers people and the protection of critical economic assets of the country.

The President of the National Youth Coalition of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo also called on the Chief of Army Staff as well as the Acting Inspector General of Police to disregard calls for the redeployment of the GOC of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army Major General Jamil Sarham and the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Rivers State Akin Fakorede from the state.