…NSIMA EKERE MOVES TO FREE ARRESTED THUGS

A personal assistant to an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Sunny Ibanga, along with his village Youth Leader, were among some hoodlums nabbed by security agents for possession of firearms and engaging in acts of security breech during the local government elections in Ikot Ekpene.

The thugs were apprehended with firearms in Ikot Ekpene inside a Hilux truck belonging to Chief Sunny Ibanga, who is the state caucus member of the All Progressives Congress.

Their arrest brought an end to the wanton violence and mayhem that had send shivers down the spines of innocent voters in Ikot Ekpene in the early period of the election.

Investigations reveal that the Managing Director of the NDDC through his Special Assistant, Uyo Nathaniel, has been making frantic efforts to get the suspected culprits off the hook, but to no avail.

The arrest has confirmed the recent Press Statement by the State Government that certain elements had been compromised to cause a breakdown of law and order.

The release had alerted that the said hirelings were conscripted to disrupt the election and cause an atmosphere of insecurity.

The sponsors of the thugs, it was gathered, are from certain political interests outside the state who have threatened to get the culprits out at all cost.

It is not the first time that outsiders have been fingered, attempting connive with opposition elements to cause chaos in the peaceful Niger Delta state.

Efforts to get the NDDC managing director’s reaction were unsuccessful as at 9pm Saturday night.

The State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel in his broadcast to the people of the State, had warned people not to engage in acts that are capable of causing a break down of law and order, assuring the people that Government will deal decisively with anyone who will be caught trying to disrupt public peace.