In line with the Chief of Army staff’s directive to ensure professional conduct of troops, especially during electioneering period, the eighty-one Division of the Nigerian Army has arrested seventeen persons, among them a legislator, in Lagos and Ogun states.
They were arrested over offences ranging from alleged ballot snatching, disruption of election process and impersonation during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
One of the thugs reportedly opened fire on the troops, injuring an officer in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State, in his attempt to evade arrest, after his accomplice attempted to snatch ballot boxes at a polling unit.
Recovered from the suspects were one hundred and eleven permanent voter’s cards, PVCs, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous objects.
Giving an update of the election in its area of responsibility, the Division disclosed that distress calls on disruptions of election processes were received from densely-populated Ajegunle, Makinde and
Satellite areas of Lagos, and Ogere, Ogun State.
In the process, troops stationed at the Forward Operational Base one, Olayinka Street, Ajegunle, reportedly foiled attempt by hoodlums to snatch election materials from some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
It was gathered that the rampaging thugs at Ajegunle, barricaded the road, denying INEC official’s access, intimidated voters and vandalized shops.
They reportedly took to their heels, abandoning ten cutlasses, one axe, one iron rod and three objects suspected to be pestles, on sighting the troops.
Also two men who posed as soldiers were arrested in Ikotun and Alabule communities in Lagos and Ogun states, respectively.
Confirming the arrest, the Deputy Director, Army public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, added that some of the suspects were handed over to the police.
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