The Nigerian military authorities have arrested and detained a Nigerian Navy commander, Nicholas Uchendu Akalezi aka Akalieze, and 10 other naval personnel for alleged violent activities in Kogi State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Mr Akalieze with service No: NN2880 NDA and from Course 54, a native of Imo State, has been transferred by the military authorities to a detention facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
A top military source confirmed his arrest on Thursday, but did not give further details on charges against him or his possible prosecution.
“The said Akalieze has been arrested by the military. He was arrested by the Nigerian Army in Kogi and he has been taken to Abuja – the military headquarters. About 10 naval officers were arrested alongside him,” the authoritative source said.
SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Campaign Council in Kogi State raised the alarm that the Kogi State government allegedly set up a “rogue force” to muzzle the opposition and their strongholds ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The party had identified Akalieze as one of the tools prepared to harass and go after the electorates.
Also, the party had named Ojo Obafemi Gabriel, the Operation Commander of the Lokoja Area command as leading a team of thugs among others.
SaharaReporters had also reported that some hoodlums said to be from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked the house of the SDP campaign Director-General in Anyigba at about 6am on Tuesday and killed a policeman, identified as Atabor and at least four other victims.
According to an alert by Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the spokesman, Muri/Sam Gubernatorial Campaign of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the hoodlums were a “rogue force” allegedly put together by Governor Yahaya Bello ahead of the Saturday governorship election in the state.
Speaking further, the SDP had identified six members of the alleged squad while urging 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.