Ex-nysc Dg, Other Apc Thugs Arrested In Akwa Ibom

By Ray Alphonsus, Uyo

Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Maj-Gen Edet Akpan (rtd) has been arrested for alleged electoral offences.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Mr Austin Okojie, on Saturday revealed that security operatives swooped on the Army General after he had successfully carted away and diverted election materials to his residence for thump printing and successfully arrested him and 10 corps members of NYSC.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner confirmed that the ex-General and other suspects were being interrogated by security agencies.

Also seven officers of the Nigeria Police were on Saturday, 11 April, 2015 arrested in Ekpenyong Atai, Essien Udim local government for allegedly storming a polling unit in the area, shooting in different directions and hijacking election materials for rigging.

Luck however, ran out of them when they were apprehended by men of the DSS and other security personnel.

Confirming this to news men in Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, Governor Godswill Akpabio disclosed that the police officers who are currently giving useful information to security agents, were hired by the APC to hijack the materials for their rigging plot.

It was also revealed that the policemen who came from Uyo to Essein Udim to commit the electoral offense were not assigned any election duty by the police authority. They were on illegal duty having been paid by the APC to do so.

Our correspondent observes that APC has unleashed unprecedented violence in some parts of the state in a bid to rig the election. A chieftain of the party in Abak and a former governorship candidate in the state Dr Ime Umanah was also said to have gone around with some fake soldiers who were challenged and overwhelmed by vigilant youths in the area.

Also Mr Mfreke Inwang an aide of the PDP candidate representing Nsit Ubium State constituency, Hon Onofiok Luke who is seeking re-election was reportedly stabbed by hoodlums suspected to be APC thugs. He was rushed to the hospital.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom confirmed some arrests and vowed that they would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court.

By Ray Alphonsus, Uyo