Ijaws in Edo alleges plot by militants to rig Ondo election

Calls on IGP, Obaseki to act quickly

From Edo Elvis, Benin

The Ijaw leaders in neighbouring Edo Community have alerted of a plot by militants to cause mayhem during the Ondo State governorship election slated for October 10, 2020.

The leaders who called on the police to wade in and dislodged them, alleged that the militants were presently camping at the small Ijaw town of Nikhorogha, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Addressing Journalists in Benin yesterday, Mr. Vincent Daniel, the Special Assistant to Delta State governor on Security alleged that one of the militants in company of his colleague from Ondo State killed one Mrs. Yado Odogbo from Ajakurama in Ovia South West Local Government Area during the September 19 Edo election.

Flanked by Mr. Ogidigba Godstime, Kenneth Ajuwaye and others, Daniel explained that the militants had invaded the riverine Ijaw communities in Edo State with a view to snatching ballot boxes and intimidate voters during the election but were however overpowered by security personnel following a shoot out.

He called on the Inspector General of Police and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to order the eviction of the militants from the peaceful community and save Ondo State from the impending bloodbath during the polls.

He said: “The Inspector General of Police and the state government should do something about the militants’ camp at Nikhorogha. They are busy recruiting militants and camping them at Nikhorogha to cause mayhem in Ondo State during the forthcoming election.”

He remarked that there will be an upsurge in kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crime after the Ondo State election, predicting that the heavily armed militants will turned their guns against the people in line with the old adage which holds that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

“What happened after the Ondo election? We are presently trying to manage the problem of herdsmen in the country but we will be having another crisis if the activities of militants at Nikhorogha is not checked. I am sure they will turn their guns against innocent people after the Ondo election”, he said.

While appealing to the Inspector General of Police to order a probe surrounding the gruesome murder of Mrs. Odogbo with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book, he however pleaded with Governor Obaseki to reach out to the family of the deceased.