Elections: Nigerian soldiers assaulted, intimidated Enugu residents, Enugu assembly claims

On Tuesday, the Enugu House of Assembly urged President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate alleged military excesses, intimidation and harassment during March 18 governorship and state assembly elections.
The motion for the requested investigation was moved at plenary by Chinedu Nwamba (PDP-Nsukka East). He noted that the military’s constitutional role was to defend Nigeria from external aggression, maintain its territorial integrity, and secure its borders from land, sea, or air violation.
He explained that on March 17, Enugu residents woke up to notice heavy deployment of combat-ready, fierce-looking, AK-47-wielding soldiers in all the 17 local government areas.
The lawmaker explained that armoured vehicles and sophisticated armaments were seen across the state as though the military was headed to war. He said there was manhandling and fragrant intimidation of people during the period.
Supporting the motion, speaker of the house, Edward Ubosi, urged Mr Buhari to investigate the roles and excesses of the military in Enugu during the elections.
He charged the president to sanction anybody found wanting to serve as a deterrent to others.
Mr Ubosi alleged massive electoral malpractices and intimidation marred the 2023 governorship and state assembly elections in parts of Enugu.
The speaker also charged the National Assembly to confirm if there was an act from it to deploy fully-armed military personnel to Enugu on March 17.
Five other lawmakers supported the motion.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Ondo assembly seeks faster C of O processing to boost investmentÂ
The committee’s chairman, Abiola Oladapo, said efficient land administration was critical to creating an enabling environment for businesses.

Heading 4
Minister calls for greater involvement of oncology nurses in cancer care
The minister said cancer’s complexity made multidisciplinary collaboration essential.

Education
NOUN matriculates 70 inmates in Enugu custodial centre
Mr Nwakuche said the NCoS was committed to using education as an instrument for reformation.

Agriculture
Gombe inaugurates state-wide livestock vaccination campaign
Mr Yahaya said the exercise was aimed at protecting animal health.

NationWide
Asaba Massacre: Obasanjo urges forgiveness, reconciliation
He described the massacre as one of the most painful and terrible aspects of the Nigerian Civil War.

World
FBI nabs ISIS-linked Sheikhdoon Mohamud for plottting terrorist attack on Mall of America
He was arrested after buying an AK-47-style rifle, magazines and ammunition from an undercover FBI agent.





