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Tag: soldiers

  • Soldiers impound commissioner’s vehicle in Delta

    Soldiers impound commissioner’s vehicle in Delta

    The Delta State governorship and legislative elections in Asaba metropolis, the state capital, was yesterday disrupted after soldiers molested motorists.

    In the ensuing fracas, many voters took to their heels as they thought that the action of soldiers could not be predicted.

    But the PDP governorship candidate blamed the action of the soldiers on a breakdown of information, adding that the situation will normalise as the relevant authorities have stepped into the matter.

    The Delta State Information Commissioner, Chike Ogeah, who was at St John Bosco polling unit was victim of the soldiers, as his vehicle was impounded by the soldiers, a development, which sent many voters scampering for safety.

    Many of the cars were left in the middle of the ever-busy Nnebisi Road after the soldiers left with the car keys.

    As the raid progressed from the Flyover Bridge, the soldiers in their multitudes arrived at the JohnBosco, the polling unit where Ogeah was billed to vote.

    A visibly angry Ogeah, later told journalists that the action of the soldiers scared away voters from casting their votes.

    He said: “They (soldiers) came to meet me and demanded the key from my driver. We even said please, let us pack, they refused to allow us leave the road. I identified myself. They still took the key and went away. I’m surprised at the embarrassment of the soldiers.”

    But a spokesman of the army, who disrupted the election and identified as Olaleye O, said the seizure of keys from vehicle drivers was an order from the Inspector General of Police that no vehicular movement should be allowed on election day.

    According to him, “the order of no vehicular movement means no vehicular movement between 8.am and 6pm. It’s only security agents and others on essential duties that are supposed to be with their vehicles. The issue of ballot snatching is traceable to movement of vehicles and tricycles on election days.

  • Three dead as Soldiers chase ballot box snatchers

    No fewer than three persons were feared dead and scores wounded in a ghastly motor accident in Imo State Saturday as elections were going on across the state.

    The incident which happened at Okwele in Onuimo Council Area of the State, according to an eyewitness account, occurred when a take-off bus conveying hoodlums who were snatching ballot boxes in the area, somersaulted while trying to escape from Soldiers who gave them a hot chase.

    According to the source, “on sighting the Army vehicle, the hoodlums accelerated their speed, while the Army vehicle, apparently suspecting a foul play, gave them a hot chase. Suddenly we heard a loud sound and the bus somersaulted severally”.

    Meanwhile efforts to confirm the incident were not successful as the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Andrew Enwerem, could not be reached on his cell phone.

    But a reliable source in the Army, who pleaded anonymity, said the Soldiers on election duty were chasing the thugs when the accident occurred.

  • How soldiers barred us, by lawmakers

    How soldiers barred us, by lawmakers

    The 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday recounted how they were barred from entering Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by soldiers.

    Led by Speaker Adewale Ominrin, they said they were stopped at Itawure, a boundary town, by soldiers.

    In company of other 18 members, Majority Leader Churchil Adedipe, at a news briefing in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, gave a graphic account of how they were stopped even when the police were ready to escort them into the state.

    Adedipe, who said they notified the police about their coming into the state to resume their legislative duties, vowed that they will not be deterred in their bid to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Adedipe said that he suspected that the soldiers were acting on instructions from Brig.-Gen. Aliyu Momoh, the Commanding Officer of the  32 Artillery Brigade, Akure.

    Adedipe said for over two hours, the soldiers prevented them from proceeding to Ado-Ekiti, adding that the information gathered by some of the lawmakers who made calls to people waiting for them at the State Assembly complex,  indicated that Fayose brought thugs to the premises of the Assembly.

    The lawmaker said: “We want to assure the governor that any moment from now, we are going back to Ado-Ekiti.ý”

    Omirin said Fayose had committed impeachable offences and willbe impeached.

    He said: “Despite officially writing Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu, informing him of our sitting, Governor Fayose, his Special Adviser on Political Matters and Commissioner for Works still led thugs into the premises of the Assembly to disrupt activities there.

    ”We have started this process and nothing will stop us from finishing it. We have written Fayose on the allegations against him, including constitutional breaches and preventing Ekiti lawmakers from performing their duties. We will investigate him and finish this process.”

  • Order barring soldiers from Tinubu’s home subsists, says court

    THE order barring soldiers from the home of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will remain in force until the substantive suit is heard, the Federal High Court said yesterday.

    Tinubu sued the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, over the deployment of soldiers to lay siege on his 26, Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos home between February 9 and 11.

    The former Lagos State governor is praying the court to enforce his fundamental rights.

    Justice John Tsoho, on March 26, granted an interim injunction restraining the army from laying siege to Tinubu’s home.

    The judge also stopped Tinubu’s arrest or detention during the period of the general elections.

    He restrained Minimah and his privies from “arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicant” until the determination of the substantive suit.

    The suit was adjourned for hearing yesterday, but the applicant’s lawyer, Chukwuma Onwuemene, who stood in for Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), sought a short adjournment.

    Minimah was not represented by any lawyer.

    Justice Tsoho recalled that the applicant had already secured an interim injunction against his arrest and intimidation by the military, which still subsists.

    He said he could not give any date before the Easter vacation, which begins next Monday.

    Tinubu is seeking a declaration that the siege on his home was an infringement on his fundamental human right to private and family life as protected under Section 37 of the Constitution.

    According to him, the military’s action violated Sections 35 and 42 of the Constitution as well as Articles 2 and 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

    Tinubu said the siege caused him and his family “psychological and mental torture”.

    His aide, Sunday Dare, who deposed to a supporting affidavit, said: “The applicant was exposed to embarrassment as many members of the public asked whether he committed any offence, which warranted the siege.

    “The siege portrayed him as a hardened criminal in the society.”

    Following one of such sieges, a banner was hung in front of Tinubu’s home, which reads: “This is not Sambisa Forest. Wrong posting.”

    Justice Tsoho adjourned till April 20.

  • You’re worthy soldiers, APC tells Oyo voters

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described the electorate in the state as worthy soldiers of change, who deserve to be celebrated for their contributions to the victory of Muhammadu Buhari.

    The party recorded 528,620 votes against the 303,376 scored by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC hailed the outcome of last Saturday’s polls, which saw the party winning the three senatorial seats as well as 12 of the 14 seats in the House of Representatives.

    The statement reads: “Whatever victory the APC recorded at the polls was made possible by God and the patriotic electorate, who defied all odds to vote for all candidates presented by our party.

    “Voters in Oyo State have demonstrated their resolve to assist the cause of change, which the APC is championing.

    “As a party with a record of performance in the state, we are grateful that voters found virtually all candidates worthy of their respective mandate and we can assure them that none of those elected from the state on the platform of the APC would disappoint them because they are all competent, committed and passionate to perform well.

    “However, we further urge the electorate in Oyo State not to rest on their oars by completing the task of nation building. The best way to this is by electing only the APC candidates.

    On April 11, our party’s governorship and 32 House of Assembly candidates would be standing for elections and we urge our people to entrust them with their respective mandates.

    “The need for continuity of good governance in the state should be established on April 11, when Governor Abiola Ajimobi is re-elected for another term of four years, as this would seal the assurance of complete restoration, reformation and repositioning of the pacesetter state.”

  • Court stops Jonathan from deploying soldiers for polls

    Court stops Jonathan from deploying soldiers for polls

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining President Goodluck Jonathan and the Service Chiefs from deploying soldiers for the general elections.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba held that they cannot deploy soldiers without the National Assembly’s approval.

    Besides, he said any election which is militarised through deployment of soldiers where there is no insurrection is “anti-democratic” and not in consonance with constitutional democracy and civil rule.

    Justice Buba was delivering judgment in a suit by House of Representatives member Femi Gbajabiamila who sought a declaration that deployment of soldiers for elections is unconstitutional.

    President Jonathan, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Attorney-General of the Federation are the respondents.

    The plaintiff said the Federal Government deployed soldiers during the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, contrary to the Constitution.

    Justice Buba upheld arguments by the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Seni Adio, adding that even President Jonathan does not have the power to deploy soldiers at whim.

    The judge dismissed the defendants’ objections to the court’s jurisdiction and to the plaintiff’s locus standi, saying Gbajabiamila had the legal right to demand an interpretation of the constitution by the court.

    He disagreed with the defendants who said soldiers were only deployed to ensure peaceful elections, holding that the army is not needed for such civil duties.

    Justice Buba said he was bound by the recent Court of Appeal’s decision, which nullified soldiers’ deployment for elections. He quoted the decision extensively, adding that he was also persuaded by the judgment of Justice Mohammed Rilwan of the Federal High Court, Sokoto.

    According to the judge, the law does not make provision for the military to be involved in civil activities, and if soldiers must vote, it must be in their barracks. “The armed forces/military have no role in elections,” he said.

    “The time has come for us to establish the culture of democratic rule in the country and to start to do the right thing, particularly when it has to do with dealing with the electoral process which is one of the pillars of democracy.

    “In spite of the behaviour of the political class, we should by all means try to keep armed personnel and military from being a part and parcel of the electoral process.

    “The state is obligated to confine the military to their very demanding assignment, especially in this time of insurgencies, by keeping them out of elections. The state is also obligated to ensure that citizens exercise their franchise freely and unmolested,” Justice Buba said.

    The judge said the Court of Appeal directly interpreted the Constitution when it held that the combined effects of Section 215 and 217 limit the president’s power to deploy soldiers to the suppression of insurrection and to aid the police to restore order when it has broken down.

    “I am bound by the decision of the Court of Appeal and equally persuaded by the decision of Federal High Court Sokoto, which also persuaded the Court of Appeal.

    “It is in this regard that the court will say that its duty in interpreting the constitution has been simplified and made easy by the decisions I have referred to extensively,” Justice Buba held.

    On whether Gbajabiamila has locus standi, the judge said: “The plaintiff is at liberty to approach this court and seek reliefs whether they are beneficial to him or not. In the instant case, the plaintiff is a Nigerian; he has a right of franchise, so it will be beneficial to him.

    “This court will not dabble in academic issues. The instance Originating Summons has merit. The court shall proceed to answer the questions for determination in favour of the plaintiff that the deployment of the armed forces by the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants during elections violate the provisions of the Constitution.

    “Accordingly, the declaratory reliefs sought are granted. Any militarised voting pattern is anti-democratic and not in consonance with constitutional democracy and civil rule.”

     

  • Six killed in soldiers, worshippers clash in Southern Kaduna

    A clash  between some military men and some worshippers in Southern Kaduna yesterday led to the death of no fewer than six people. Many others were injured.

    The soldiers allegedly shot  security guards of St. Peters Catholic Church Gidan-Waya area of Jama’a local government in Kaduna State who mounted a temporary stop and search check point in front of their church during service.

    According to a man who simply identified himself as Christopher, a residence of Gidan-Waya, “the clash occured at about 10am when church service was on. A soldier approched the church’s watch men popularly known as Cadet and ordered them to dismantle the temporary check point during the church service, but the boys refused the order on the argument that church service was ongoing and that they would do as soon as service was over, but the soldier was dissatisfied with the explanation.

    The soldier reportedly went back and mobilised his colleagues who came and started firing at the local guards.

    “The gunshots ended the church service. Women and youths immediately reacted to the shooting by confronting the soldiers as a result of which one Soldier and three civilians were injured,” said Christopher.

    The situation led to a clash between residents and soldiers.

    Another eye witness said a block of flat at a staff quarters belonging to Kaduna State college of Education Gidan- Waya occupied by the military personnel, was burnt with two guns carted away.

    According to a resident who identified himself as Bulbs Jatau: “Six people were killed, a flat occupied by some army personnel burnt while many people were injured.”

    Similarly, a lecturer at the college who pleaded anonymity said a 200-level student was among the people killed by bullets.

    “A soldier has a motorcycle he uses as a means of transportion. The cadet boys manning the Church during Mass had told him that each time there is Church programme, he should not increase the acceleration of his motorcycle but he refused to abide by what the boys told him.

    “Today, he was passing during church Mass and the road was closed. He started shouting at the boys asking why they blocked the road, as the argument was ongoing, he returned to a check-point and mobilised other army personnel and they came shooting.

    “As they were shooting, a certain man coming back from another church was hit by the bullet and he died instantly. One of the cadet boys was shot but he died at a hospital,” said the lecture.

    Another eyes witness said youth and women of the community were protesting naked, mobile policemen were mobilised from Kafanchan shot tear-gas to disperse the protesters.

    “The incident also turned violent as four people also dropped dead when the protesters blocked all roads leading to Abuja, Jos and Kafanchan in protest of the killing. All the checkpoints in the area have been dismantled and the military men have been withdrawn to Kafanchan. The soldiers have told the traditional ruler that they will come back in the night to search for their guns,” another resident told our correspondent.

    Spokesman of the 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna, Col. Abdul Usman did not respond to calls and text message as at the time of filling this report.

    Survivors of the clash are receiving medical attention at a State General Hospital.

  • Soldiers shoot worshippers in Kaduna , kill six

    Soldiers on guard in troubled Southern Kaduna, on Sunday allegedly opened fire on Church workers killing six and injuring three others.

    The Soldiers allegedly shot watchmen of St. Peters Catholic Church Gidan-Waya area of Jama’a local government who had mounted a temporary stop and search check point in front of their Church as service was on in the morning.

    According to Christopher, a resident of Gidan-Waya ” It all started when a Soldier who has been in the area went to the Church’s watch men popularly known as Cadet and ordered them to dismantle the temporary check point during the Church service. The boys refused the Soldier’s order on the excuse that Church service was on and that they will do so as soon as service is over.
    ” But dissatisfied with the explanation, the Soldier went back and mobilised his other colleagues who came and started firing at the local guards.

    “The gunshot automatically ended the church service. Women and youths immediately reacted to the shooting by confronting the soldiers and as a result one soldier and three other civilians got wounded,” said Christopher.

    The situation led to a serious clashed between residents and the army personnel.

  • Soldiers will be deployed for polls — Clark

    Soldiers will be deployed for polls — Clark

    Ijaw leader,  Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday said soldiers would be deployed in polling centres to ensure hitch-free elections.

    He said what “people want  is a safe environment to exercise their rights and this could only be achieved with the deployment of soldiers.”

    Clark said this in Abuja while receiving the leaders of the Jonathan/Sambo Support Group  from Gombe State who paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said: “Our  people want safety when they go out to vote and the soldiers would be deployed to guarantee that.”

    On the ongoing crisis  in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Clark said candidate imposition would be  the major undoing of the party.

    He wondered why  the leadership of the party allowed this to happen, considering its consequences.

    He argued that “the imposition of candidates  is not democratic because people are appointed as candidates of the party and not elected in line with democratic principles.

    “A situation in which the  governor of a state would try to nominate  people to all positions is not democracy.

    “When governors do that, they are merely protecting their own interest. The leadership of the PDP at various levels is doing that for selfish interest. That is why they don’t allow you to elect your candidates for elections.”

    He  assured them that this type of  situation will stop after the 2015 general elections.”

    He also said: “All Nigerians are equal. All the victims of post-election violence in 2011 in Gombe State will be identified and adequately compensated.”

    Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Ibrahim Dikko, said people were imposed on them as candidates of the PDP in the coming general elections.

  • Gani Adams warns Fed Govt against soldiers’ deployment

    Gani Adams warns Fed Govt against soldiers’ deployment

    The leader of O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, has warned the Federal Government against the militarisation of the general elections.

    Adams, however, said soldiers could only be deployed to crisis prone states.

    He noted that in such areas, the military should not take over the duties of the Nigeria Police during the March and April elections.

    Adams spoke to airport reporters yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on his way to Atlanta, Georgia, United States to receive a cultural award. He urged the government to ensure civility throughout the period of the elections, adding that the deployment of soldiers in the elections must be minimised.