Abia by-election: IGP deploys new unit to checkmate CTU operatives

Following the petition by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State Chapter, urging the Inspector General of Police, Mr Abubakar Adamu to withdraw Police Counter Terrorism Unit ( CTU) operatives from the Aba North/South federal constituency by-election holding on Saturday, the IG has dispatched a secret unit to checkmate the activities of the commandant of the CTU, Aba

State Chairman of the APGA, Engr Uchenna Ehiemere, had alleged that the Nigeria Police Terrorism Unit Base 4 has been compromised by the Peoples Democratic Party led state government to rig the election.

According to Ehiemere, the commandant and the officers of the unit has continued to show partisanship against the ethics of the police, hence the need for a total change or redeployment

A source in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Force Headquarters, who confirmed the deployment of the new unit, said the Inspector General considered the timing of the election and chose to checkmate the activities of the commandant.

Similarly, police had on Wednesday told newsmen in Abuja that violence will not be tolerated in the Abia by election.

According to the police source, additional police officers has been dispatched to support the efforts of the men of the state command.

While stating that the exercise is not targeted at intimidating residents, the police authority added that a repeat of what took place recently in Ekiti where three electorate were shot dead and others injured by armed hoodlums will not be allowed to take place in Aba.

Reports have it that Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa local government and Aba have been identified as flash points. The police authority also warned owners of Crest hotel, Luxury City hotel, Hotel De Gulf and Agburuke hotel against housing thugs and hoodlums.

Meanwhile, a civil society group , Vanguard For Good Governance had in a statement issued on Monday by its Abia state chairman, Nnaemeka Ubani alleged that the PDP in Abia State had imported thugs from Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Akwa Ibom to intimidate and harass voters on Saturday.

All efforts to reach reach the State Publicity Secretary of the party for a comment proved abortive. The Aba North/South Federal Constituency seat became vacant following the death of the former occupant, Hon. Ossy Prestige who passed on in a Germany hospital earlier in the year.

The Saturday election will have a former Chief of Staff in the state, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu of the APC slug it out with the PDP’s Chimaobi Ebisike and the APGA’s Destiny Akara Nwagwu.