Police remain silent as hoodlums unleash violence on Rivers LG secretariats

The Rivers State Police Command has remained silent in the face of sudden violence that broke out in several local government council secretariats on Monday morning.

DAILY POST reports that “political thugs” suspected to be supporters of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday morning attacked the secretariats of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Ogba/Egbema local government councils /Ndoni, Eleme and Emohua. , barely 24 hours after Governor Sim Fubara administered the oath of office to the newly elected LG chairmen.

The attackers reportedly barricaded the entrances to the council and fired indiscriminately.

These actions would aim to prevent newly elected LG presidents from returning to office.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from the 23 LG secretariats in Rivers State after over three months of deployment.

In Bori, Khana LGA, a gunfight broke out after gunmen opened fire on members of a political party, leading to an exchange of fire between the attackers and police.

Reports also indicate that the Bori Police Division recovered the body of a civilian who was fatally shot during the encounter.

In Eleme, arsonists burned down the local council in an attempt to prevent the newly elected president from taking office.

Similarly, heavy firing was reported in Obio/Akpor LGA, where attackers sought to disrupt the inauguration of councilors by the local government chairman.

Also, a viral video obtained by DAILY POST showed the Ikwerre LG secretariat engulfed in flames, while in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, plastic chairs were strewn at the entrance of the secretariat following further disturbances provoked by suspected political thugs.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that three people were killed in the chaos in Obio/Akpor, Khana and Ahoada East LGAs.

Despite numerous calls for action, the State Police Command is yet to comment on the situation or take decisive steps to restore order and security in the affected secretariats.