Army: Arrested Rivers SSG not above the law

Stephenson Olabanji, commander of 2 brigade, Nigerian army, Port Harcourt, has confirmed the arrest of Kenneth Kobani, secretary to the government of Rivers state, accusing him of disrupting electoral process.

Olabanji, who said the law is not meant for only “the lower cadre”, also confirmed the arrest of Cyril Dum, an aide of Nyesom Wike, governor of the state.

He disclosed this at a joint security news conference in Port Harcourt, capital of the state, saying both men were nabbed in Gokana and Khana local government areas.

“Many people were arrested yesterday for disrupting the electoral process and the law is not meant for just the lower cadre alone,” he said.

“No matter who you are, if you go against the law, you will definitely face the music.

“So, there is nothing like being secretary to the state government; many people were arrested as you have been told; a lot of people were arrested.”

Olabanji denied claims by the state government that some commissioners and other top officials were manhandled by the army during the election.

In his contribution, Adisa Bolanta, assistant commissioner of police, zone 6 Calabar, said four deaths were recorded while 22 persons were arrested during the election.

Bolanta said the suspects were being interrogated on allegations of criminal or electoral offences.

He said deployments made by the police assisted in reducing election related offences.