ELECTIONS: APC candidate raises alarm as ex-militants flood Ondo community

As the general elections billed for Saturday approaches, the All Progressive Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ilaje Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, Ondo State, Donald Ojogo, has reacted to the invasion of ex- militants from Delta and Edo states into the state.

In a statement in Akure on Wednesday, Ojogo alleged that the former militants were properly trained and adequately equipped by a former Niger Delta warlord who was against the dissolution of a security surveillance contract he had with the former administration.

He said, “I am constrained to alert the general public, especially law enforcement and security agencies about the activities of some unscrupulous elements who have made an untoward influx into the Riverine Areas of Ondo State from neighbouring states of Delta and Edo.

“But for the divine intervention occasioned by the postponement of the February 16 poll, hired thugs, cultists and elements who understandably, were ex militants in black and black dresses, had positioned themselves in strategic creeks across Arogbo-Ijaw Kingdom in speed boats belonging to disengaged security company.

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“It is pertinent to say here that at least three of such miscreants who offered themselves out as thugs are currently under arrest in Always Ibom State  on the suspicion that they had gone there to disrupt elections there.

“Without necessarily delving into the reasons for the termination of the said contract, it is gratifying to say that government had acted in the best interest of the people of Ese odo local government, especially Arogbo-Ijaw Kingdom.

“This is more so that the said security surveillance contract was used as a tool to molest, intimidate and implicate perceived political enemies.

“It is obvious from the plot of this ex militant leader that a dangerous trend is brewing in the Riverine Areas of Ondo. Details of the occupants of the speed boats have been provided for the security agencies to commence action even as I am appealing to my supporters to resist the temptation of an equal action that might heighten tension in the relatively peaceful creeks since the last Amnesty initiative brokered by the Ondo State government.

“From all indications, the said ex warlord and his co travellers are on this plot to cause mayhem on beneficiaries of the last Amnesty initiative whose integration into the presidential Amnesty programme is yet to be completed”.

Ojogo has, therefore, urged relevant security agencies to rise up to this ugly development and stem the situation.

By Todimu Ogunade…

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