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Nigerian troops arrest 6 suspected terrorists amid tight security for polls

Xinhua, April 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nigerian troops in oil rich city of Port Harcourt on Saturday said it has arrested six suspected terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition from them after soldiers raided their hideout.

The suspects were arrested after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, Brig.-Gen. Koko Essien, the Commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, told reporters in Port Harcourt.

The raid was part of efforts to make the environment safe for people to go out and vote, the military chief said, noting that one suspect, who fled the scene of the shootout with multiple gunshot wounds would soon be apprehended as soldiers were currently on his trail.

Essien said troops had been deployed to flash points to tackle any form of electoral violence during and after the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

According to him, the military will stop at nothing to make sure that the streets, city, hinterlands and waterways are protected to enable people to go out and vote candidates of their choice. Endi