How we prevented Rivers from destruction during 2019 polls – Army

Brig.-Gen. Felix Omongue, Acting Director of Operations,
Nigerian Army, has disclosed that Rivers would have burnt to ashes,
if not for the military’s quick intervention during the 2019
General Elections.

Omongue made statement in Port Harcourt on Monday at the House
of Representatives public hearing on political violence in
Rivers.

The House Committee on Army, Police, Human Rights and Justice
was in Rivers to investigate the murder of Dr. Ferry Ogberegbe, a
lecturer at Saro Wiwa Polytechnic Boro.

The lecturer was alleged to have been shot by men of Federal
Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) during the elections.

He said the political landscape of Rivers was charged before and
during the elections, hence the army played the necessary
roles.

According to him, “the Nigerian Army was the sole hero of 2019
elections.

He, however, said the military arrested some criminals for
alleged impersonation during the polls.

“The Political environment in Rivers was heated up.”

The General said it was only in Rivers that the public accused
the army of killing, intimidation and arrest, while local and
international communities commended it for positive role in the
exercise.

According to the director of operations, the Odi massacre in
Bayelsa, would have been repeated but that the army exercised
restraint when its officer was killed.

An army officer was killed in Abonnema, in Asari Toru Local
Government Area during the presidential polls.

“Only Rivers in Niger Delta zone is accusing the military of
wrong doings.

The military has a rule of engagement (operation), ” he
said.

Omogue said three soldiers were killed during the elections in
Rivers.

Dr. Gogo Jack, Rivers Commissioner for Education, told the
committee that 187 people were arrested by soldiers, including
himself and detained in a military facility in Boro camp, Port
Harcourt.

The education commissioner said his house was ransacked while
N1.5 million he left on a dinner table was stolen.

According to him, his house was surrounded with several trucks
and Amoured Personnel Carriers (APC).

Mr Ibim Dokubo, a counsel to Asari Toru Local Government Area,
said 43 persons died; 24 “identifiable persons were wounded, while
14 were brutalised and arrested.

Nine persons, including the military personnel testified at the
public hearing while the committee adjourned to May 8, for
continuation. (NAN)

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