Two people have sustained bullet wounds in Igwuruta community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, following a clash between alleged loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and security personnel attached to a federal lawmaker.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning as the youths attempted to enforce a High Court judgment that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
According to reports, the alleged Wike loyalists took to the streets, claiming to be enforcing the court order and insisting that the polls would not be held in the area. The leader of the group, Obinna Ekem, who is also a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the community, stated that they came out to ensure compliance with the Federal High Court judgment that restrained RSIEC from conducting local government elections.
However, Ekem alleged that security operatives attached to Boniface Emerengwa, the federal lawmaker representing Ikwerre-Emohua Federal Constituency, opened fire on the youths. He claimed that several persons were shot and are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
The situation was eventually brought under control by the Divisional Police Officer of the Igwuruta Police Division, who mobilized men to the area and restored calm. It was reported that the election did not take place in Igwuruta community and the neighboring community of Omuagwa.
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