Taiwo Popoola
The Rivers State Police Command have remained adamant amid sudden violence that erupted at several local government council secretariats on Monday morning.
Urban Express News Online reports that suspected “political thugs” believed to be supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attacked the Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Eleme, and Emohua local government council secretariats on Monday morning, barely 24 hours after Governor Sim Fubara swore in newly elected LG chairmen.
The attackers reportedly barricaded the council entrances and fired shots indiscriminately.
These actions are allegedly aimed at preventing the newly elected LG chairmen from resuming in their offices.
On Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate withdrawal of Police personnel from the 23 Rivers State LG secretariats after over three months of deployment.
In Bori, Khana LGA, a gunfight broke out after armed men opened fire on members of a political party, leading to an exchange of fire between the attackers and the Police.
Reports also indicate that the Bori Police Division recovered the body of a civilian who was fatally shot during the confrontation.
In Eleme, arsonists set fire to the local council in an effort to prevent the newly elected chairman from taking office.
Similarly, heavy gunfire was reported in Obio/Akpor LGA, where assailants sought to disrupt the inauguration of councilors by the local government chairman.
Also, a viral video obtained by Urban Express News Online showed the Ikwerre LG secretariat engulfed in flames, while in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, plastic chairs were scattered at the secretariat’s entrance following further disruptions by the alleged political thugs.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that three people have been killed in the chaos across Obio/Akpor, Khana, and Ahoada East LGAs.
Despite numerous calls for action, the state police command has yet to comment on the situation or take decisive steps to restore order and security at the affected secretariats.
