Army Arrests Rivers ex-Gov Candidate, Kill Two Loyalists

Gunmen dressed in military uniform on Monday morning whisked away the Rivers State governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement in the 2023 general elections, Sobomabo Jackrich.

Jackrich was reportedly abducted from his residence in Usokun in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Also, it was gathered that the assailants, who stormed his house at about 3 am on Monday, shot dead two of his loyalists who were with him.

Though the circumstances leading to the raid were not clear, Jackrich was taken away and the remains of the two persons killed and carted away.

It was not clear what led to the killing of the two loyalists but a community source claimed that scores of military-branded vehicles were spotted during the raid.

Jackrich, popularly known as ‘Egberipapa’, is a former militant leader who embraced amnesty offered during the tenure of the late President Umar  Yar’Adua.

When contacted, his media aide, Soibibo Sokari, confirmed the incident.

Sokari stated, “Yes, it is true he was arrested this morning. Two persons were killed and their bodies were carted away along with him. We are still following up on the incident to get more details.

“We don’t know exactly who is behind it. But as the details unfold we will let the public know about it.”

Meanwhile, a source, who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent, that it was the military that whisked away the  ex-militant leader, saying, “His residence was condoned.”

But when contacted, the acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt Col. Jonah Danjuma, in a short reply said, “I’m not aware. “

However, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed to our reporter that it was not a case of kidnap but an issue between the ex-Niger Delta agitator and a sister security agency.

She stated, “It is not a kidnapping. He is with some security personnel. That is all I can say for now.”