. Protests, gunshots, explosion rock LGs as new chairmen resume
. After police withdrawal, thugs unleash violence, one feared dead
. Three council secretariats set ablaze
. Police aloof as thugs unleash violence
There was a fresh outbreak of political tension and violence in Rivers State on Monday morning as sporadic gunshots, explosions and protests rocked some local government areas of the state.
The latest violence followed Monday’s order by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun for the unsealing of the secretariats of the 23 LGs and the immediate withdrawal of policemen who had occupied the councils since July.
But the secretariat of the Eleme LGA in the state was set ablaze, as buildings and vehicles were razed following an explosion from a device suspected to be dynamite.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA protesters invaded the council headquarters in Omoku, preventing the newly sworn-in chairman from resuming office.
*One feared dead as protesters set Rivers LG secretariat on fire*
One person was feared dead following a shooting in Bori, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday.
It was not clear if the incident was linked to the protest that rocked some LGs over the order of the police to unseal the secretariats of the 23 LGs of the state which have been under lock and key since July.
A source who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the gunshot was heard near Bori, saying people started running in different directions.
He said, “It was near Bori but I can’t say exactly where. A young man was shot and people started running. The man was rushed to the hospital this morning.”
This came as protests spread to other LGs where some youths took over the council headquarters in Emuoha and Ikwerre LGs.
In Ikwerre LG, protesters who invaded the secretariat in Isiokpo set fire to a section of the secretariat, preventing the workers from assessing the place.
It was gathered the situation prevented the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ikwerre from going in to inaugurate his councillors.
A source said the police later moved in to quell the riot while the fire was put out, though some parts of the council headquarters were damaged.
In Emuuoha LG, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from assessing the council headquarters in Isiokpo.
The protesters claimed that the candidate of the Action Peoples Party which they termed an unpopular and unknown party does not have what it takes to win the just concluded election.
The protesters were said to have blocked the main entrance to the secretariat.
They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the Chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.
Their supporters insisted that they recognised the immediate past KG Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to complete his tenure as extended by the state House of Assembly.
The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim, addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.
He stated, “We respect the legal process and have chosen to abide by the court’s decision. Our focus remains on serving the people and promoting the well-being of our good people of Emolga.”
Earlier on Monday, protesters invaded the Eleme LG secretariat and set it on fire, destroying several buildings and cars, including a police vehicle inside the council premises.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was in a meeting and promised to get back to our correspondent.
She had yet to do as of the time of filing this report on Monday afternoon.
*Police aloof as thugs unleash violence on Rivers LG secretariats*
Police in Rivers State 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.
