Nigeria Navy increases patrols, boats, men on waterways, riverine communities in Anambra

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Nigerian Navy has warned ballot box snatchers, electoral manipulators and trouble makers to steer-clear waterways and riverine

communities in Anambra during the Saturday’s general elections.

The Commanding Officer of Naval Base, Onitsha, Navy Capt. Mike Oamen, told newsmen in Onitsha that the navy would be deploying more boats and men on waterways to reach the remotest areas in Anambra.

Oamen revealed that the intelligence unit of the navy had already collated and finalized their findings, projections and needs for the election duty.

``Well, we have already started in terms of getting our patrol boats ready and hopefully we are going to get few more (boats) to join so that we can dominate the waterways and the adjoining land space.

``And you know Ogbaru (riverine communities along the River Niger in Anambra) is like a maritime, or let me call it riverine local government; so we have already mapped out our strategies.

``We will come up with more intensive patrols and of course give INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) that extra security to move sensitive materials from the headquarters into these riverine communities.

``And give the assurance that nobody will use the waterway to sabotage the election,’’ he said.

Oamen said that the navy was synergizing with other security agencies through the joint task-force to co-ordinate a security situation room meant to facilitate information networking during the election.

The commander assured that the synergy of the security agencies in Anambra would ensure adequate security prior, during and after the elections.

``It seems everybody understand the critical nature of this general election and we are committed to ensure a free, fair and credible elections,’’ he said.