Navy Commander, 10 Others Arrested for Alleged Election Violence in Kogi

A Nigerian Navy commander, Nicholas Uchendu Akalezi, also known as Akalieze, and 10 other naval personnel have been arrested and detained by the military authorities for their alleged involvement in violent activities in Kogi State ahead of the governorship election on Saturday.

SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that Akalezi, who has the service number NN2880 NDA and is from Course 54 and Imo State, was transferred by the military to a detention facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. A top military source confirmed his arrest but did not disclose the charges against him or his possible prosecution.

Akalieze was accused by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Campaign Council in Kogi State of being part of a “rogue force” allegedly set up by the Kogi State government to intimidate and harass the opposition and their strongholds during the election.

The party also named Ojo Obafemi Gabriel, the Operation Commander of the Lokoja Area Command, as leading a team of thugs among others.

The party had raised the alarm on Tuesday after some hoodlums said to be from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked the house of the SDP campaign Director-General in Anyigba and killed a policeman, identified as Atabor, and at least four other victims.

The party claimed that the hoodlums were acting on the orders of Governor Yahaya Bello, who was seeking re-election.

The party had also identified six members of the alleged squad and urged the Anyigba community to unite against the state government-led assault on Saturday.

The party had said, “1. Alhaji Yahaya Bello. 2. Commander Nicholas Uchendu Akalezi a.k.a Akalieze with service No: NN2880 NDA Course54 a native of Imo state who is a tool assassinating Kogi people. 3. Head of Department of State Services, Kogi State. 4. Ojo Obafemi Gabriel OC QRU (SARS) Lokoja command that is leading team of thugs and Nigeria Police Force +2348060293466.

“5. Friday Sani Makama +234 902 509 8011, +234 902 509 8011, 0915 738 2402. 6. Prince Ishaq +234 806 039 7388. After the attack on Sheik Ibrahim Jibrin’s house where they killed his legally attached policemen, they also took some workers in the compound to Okabo.

“It was at this point in Okabo they turned back to Anyigba again and as I report, here are their cars as they are seen on the streets of Anyigba. It has gotten to a point where everyone has to come out and defend his community against these men.”

Newsflash Nigeria is an online newspaper that is developed and written exclusively for Nigerians. It’s packed with up-to-the-minute Local and National Economy News, Share & Capital Market, Health, Sports, Education, Technology, Business and Opinions.

To make further advert enquiries or place an order, please contact us at [email protected] and +2348053316946 and WhatsApp number 08033546732