Ondo Polls: “Shoot political thugs who resist arrest,” GOC orders soldiers

 

The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Mohammed Abubakar, has warned violence seekers to steer clear of Ondo State ahead of the Saturday governorship election.

He ordered the soldiers to shoot any anyone who resists arrest, while at the same time causing trouble during the election.

The GOC, who arrived at the 32 Artillery Brigade Akure, today to address the soldiers to be deployed for the poll said that nobody would be allowed to carry arms to the polling station while directing them to arrest anybody who violates the order.

He said, ” No movement on that day except for those on essential duties and those on election duty. No hunting on the election day. I am happy that the IG has said that there would be no fishing during the poll. I don’t want to hear that I am going to the bush to hunt. Anybody with arm must be arrested. If he resists arrest, shoot him I give you the order.”

He said that movement would be restricted from 6pm to 6am but he explained that motorists traveling across the state to other parts of the country would be allowed passage after they must have proved that they are not going into the state.

The GOC said that he had received petition from a political party he declined to mention that one of the contestants had bribed some soldiers to allow his party to rig during the election.

Abubakar said that he was not a party to that while at the same time waning that any soldier who is a member of any political party should open up as early as possible. He stated that any soldier found colluding with any party would be severely dealt with.

He said, ” No amount of money they promise you will turn you to Abiola or Dangote. These people worked for their money. So be satisfied with what the Nigerian Army offers you .

He said that there would be dress code for the troops saying it would be easy for real soldiers to identify fake ones.

The GOC declined to give the number of soldiers deployed for the election but had said that soldiers were moved in from many formations to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order.