As the people of Bayelsa State go to the poll today (Saturday) to elect their next governor, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta has seized hand grenades, AK 47 rifle magazines, among other items believed to be meant for disrupting the election. The Task Force Commander, Major General Alani Okunlola, disclosed on Friday that the force had seized 36 hand grenades, two AK 47 rifle magazines, a pair of military uniform, combat boots and a bag containing personal belongings. The weapons and other items were recovered from five suspected political thugs, according to the JTF.
He added that the arrest of the suspects was made on Thursday in their hideouts in Okaka, Yenagoa, the state capital. Okunlola added that preliminary investigation was ongoing to determine the mission of the five arrested suspects. He said:
“On December 3, 2015, following a tip-off, our troops arrested five suspected political thugs in their hideouts at Okaka, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while on patrol. They were arrested while in possession of 36 hand grenades, two empty AK 47 rifle magazines, a pair of military uniform, combat boots and a bag containing personal belongings.”
Meanwhile, residents have expressed palpable fear of violence in the state. In Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, one of the eight council areas of the state, residents accused militants of threatening to unleash mayhem in the place.