Police in Rivers State have maintained silence amid sudden outbreak of violence at several local government council secretariats on Monday morning.
Suspected political thugs alleged 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.
These attacks occurred barely 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in newly elected LG chairmen.
The suspected hoodlums reportedly blocked the councils’ entrances and fired gunshots indiscriminately.
Their actions are allegedly aimed at preventing the newly elected LG chairmen from resuming in their offices.
Earlier on Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the immediate withdrawal of policemen 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 some party stalwarts, resulting in an exchange of fire between the attackers and policemen.
There were also reports that the Bori Police Division recovered the body of a man who was fatally shot during the commotion.
In Eleme, Secretariat of the local council was razed by arsonists trying to prevent the newly elected chairman from taking office.
Heavy gunfire was reported in Obio/Akpor LGA, where assailants attempted to disrupt the inauguration of councilors by the new local government chairman.
Also, a viral video showed the secretariat of Ikwerre LG on fire.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, several plastic chairs were broken and the pieces scattered at the secretariat’s entrance following some violence unleashed by the alleged political thugs.
There are unconfirmed reports that no fewer three people have been killed in the violence that occurred in Obio/Akpor, Khana, and Ahoada East LGAs.
But inspite of the escalating violence, the police have yet to comment on the situation or take decisive steps to restore order and security at the affected secretariats.
