Heavy gunfire has been reported across several Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State as armed thugs attempted to block newly sworn-in LGA chairmen from accessing their council offices.
This incident follows the conclusion of local government elections held by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Sunday. After the elections, Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara swore in the 23 elected LGA chairmen.
In a related development, the Inspector General of Police, through a statement by the state’s police command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, directed police officers to vacate LGA premises across the state.
On Monday morning, reports surfaced that a political group, dissatisfied with the election results, had mobilized youths—approximately 20 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 several locations, including the Ikwerre LGA Secretariat in Isiokpo and the Khana LGA Secretariat in Bori, with tensions rising across the state.
