Heavy gunfire has been reported across several local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers State as armed thugs attempt to prevent newly sworn-in LGA chairmen from accessing their respective council offices.
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In a disturbing development, the Ikwerre LGA secretariat in Isiokpo was allegedly set ablaze by thugs.
Following the conclusion of the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Sunday, the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, swore in the 23 elected LGA chairmen.
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However, on Monday morning, reports emerged that a political group opposed to the outcome of the LGA elections had mobilized 20 youths per ward to block the newly elected chairmen and councilors from accessing their respective council secretariats.
As of press time, heavy gunfire has been reported at the Ikwerre LGA Secretariat in Isiokpo, the Khana LGA Secretariat in Bori, and other locations across the state. The alleged burning of the Ikwerre LGA secretariat has further escalated tensions in the area.
Reports indicate that a group of armed hoodlums stormed multiple LGA secretariats, vandalizing property and setting buildings ablaze.
The attacks occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday, with Eleme Local Government Area being one of the first hit, as thugs set parts of the secretariat on fire, vowing to prevent the newly sworn-in chairman from accessing the office.
In Ikwerre LGA , located in Isiokpo, the office of the chairman was also set ablaze by thugs protesting the legitimacy of Saturday’s LGA elections.
In a more violent incident at Emohua LGA, a group of youths attacked the council secretariat just after the newly sworn-in chairman, David Omereji, had inaugurated his deputy, Patient Ebere, along with 14 councillors.
The attackers reportedly detonated explosives, believed to be dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and shattering property within the premises.
These attacks follow the withdrawal of police from LGA premises, after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered security personnel to vacate the council gates.
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