Rivers rerun: We will deal with criminal groups – Army

The Nigerian army has vowed to deal decisively with with criminal groups intending on breaching the public peace ahead of the state and National Assembly re-run elections in Rivers state.

Some Nigerians have express fears that militancy may have resurfaced in the Niger Delta region following recent attacks on oil installations.

Issuing the warning yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, the assistant director, army public relations of 2 Brigade, Capt. Eli Lazarus, in a statement said the command was aware that some politicians were arming and encouraging groups with breach public peace during the polls.


He however cautioned that such persons will have themselves to blame if caught causing trouble, noting that the army will deal decisively with defaulters in accordance with the law.

He said: some politicians are arming these groups and encouraging them with inciting comments to breach the public peace. No one should be in doubt of the capacity of the military to deal with such persons. Persons caught breaching public peace, particularly during the elections, will have themselves to blame. Some suspected patrons and sponsors of these criminal groups are closely monitored by security agencies.”

Capt. Lazarus also retreated the army’s resolve to protect oil installations in the area following recent attack on oil pipelines.




He said: “In the early hours of Sunday, February 7, 2016, pipeline vandals destroyed a gas facility at Akala Olu village in Oshie community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, thereby disrupting the production activities of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC). The vandals threatened to carry out further acts of vandalism, unless their demands are met.

“The vandals are suspected members of Icelander cult group. The group demanded the release of a detained suspect, Emmanuel Odum, undergoing interrogation in connection with pipeline vandalism and cult-related activities.

He warned that the threats by criminal groups will not deter the army’s resolve to deal with anyone caught vandalising critical national asset, stressing that the 2 Brigade will not be cowed into doing the bidding of any criminal group.

See the statement by the army below:



Meanwhile, a former candidate of the Delta state House of Assembly, Mr Bemigho Eyeoyibo, has reacted to the renewed economic sabotage of militants operating in the Niger Delta region.

Eyeoyibo, who is the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of Roseview Court (hotel and catering services), Akute, Ogun state, in an exclusive interview with Naij.com, condemned the renew unrest in the Niger Delta. He described activities of militants as sabotage to the economy.