Gov Wike alleges fresh attempt to assassinate him by an Army general

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday accused the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army of carrying out a failed assassination attempt on him.

He said the alleged attempt happened on Thursday night when soldiers sent by the Commander, Major General Jamil Sarham, confronted his security details.

The governor made the allegation when he spoke with officials of the British High Commission at the Government House, Port Harcourt, accusing Nigerian Army of taking very unprofessional measures to silence PDP members.

He also accused the military of supplying fake uniforms to militants hired by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the purpose of disrupting the elections and unleashing mayhem.

Informing newsmen of what he discussed with the British High Commissioner and other foreign missions who visited him, he said, “Last night; the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army plotted an assassination on my life. Thank God, that was not successful.

“On Friday, 15th of January, a day to the 16th of February, the first date for the elections before it was rescheduled, the GOC sent soldiers to cordone off my private residence.

“Yesterday (Thursday), I was shocked that when I left Government House to see some political leaders, soldiers were trailing me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don’t have military security details.

“Along Abacha road where you have Algate Hotel, to my surprise, I heard my security men shouting that the soldiers are behind us. I have said this severally about the GOC of the 6 Division that nobody should kill because he was promised the position of Chief of Army Staff.”

Wike warned that Rivers State should not be destabilised for political goals because it is strategically positioned in Nigeria.

“Rivers State is so important to this country. The economy of Nigeria cannot survive without Rivers State. By what they are doing, they are scaring investors away”, he said.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ask the Army to reduce their level of partisanship and illegal activities ahead of the elections.

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He added, “The GOC held a meeting with the soldiers yesterday and said they must do everything they can to ensure that the President wins. That is not good. Allow Nigerians to support whoever they want to support”.

Since elected as Rivers State governor about four years ago, Wike had more than once accused Nigerian security operatives of attempts on his life.

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