GOC leads patrol in Lagos, arrests hoodlums
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army Major General Musa Yusuf, on Saturday led troops of the force in search of hoodlums and thugs preparing to disrupt the governorship and Assembly elections.
The GOC said the patrol of the areas was in line with Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai’s directive to ensure professional conduct of troops especially during the electioneering period.
A statement from the army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu in Lagos, said the patrol yielded results as troops stationed at Forward Operational Base 1, Olayinka Street, Ajegunle, were alerted by the residents at about 06:20am to the crisis in the area.
He said: “The troops moved to the area where the thugs/hoodlums were on rampage disrupting peace, blocking INEC officials’ movement, intimidating voters and vandalising shops. On sighting the troops, the hoodlums took to their heels, no arrest was made.
“Items recovered from them included ten cutlasses, one axe, one iron rod and three objects suspected to be mortal stick.
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“Meanwhile, normalcy has since been restored for peaceful conduct of the election, while one person was arrested with one hundred and eleven (111) PVCs on Makinde Street, Oshodi, while another was arrested in Ikotun for impersonation.
“Furthermore, a group of seven was arrested on Makinde Street, Oshodi, while attempting to snatch ballot boxes. Substances believed to be charms were found in their possession.
“A fake INEC staff was arrested opposite the Redeem Camp in Owode LGA. One Hon. Johnson Shobayo was also arrested for vote buying in Ogun State, while one thug was arrested in Satellite town, Festac for chasing away party agents and seizing their ID cards.
“In another development, in Ijebu Ode, Abeokuta, thugs/touts invaded a polling unit in an attempt to snatch ballot boxes. Our troops deployed close to the polling unit mobilised to the scene. On sighting the troops, one of the thugs shot at them wounding an officer. The troops pursued the thugs and arrested one of them. Similarly, three hoodlums were arrested in Ogere and handed over to the police, while another impostor, Mr Shammah Ishaya, was arrested by troops of 35 Artillery Brigade in Alabule community, Ogun state in Military uniform.”
