Latest reports indicate that Ikwere and Emohua Local Government headquarters have become the latest to be torched in the post-local government election violence that has rocked Rivers State, a few hours after the police ordered its personnel out of the secretariats sealed since July this year to stem a likely violence over a controversy surrounding alleged plan to extend the tenures of the former council chairmen.
Daily Query reports that there were sporadic gunshots in various council secretariats, in Rivers State, in an apparent supremacy battle of control of local government areas between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Action People’s Party (APP).
The newly elected and sworn-in council chairmen were to resume office following the withdrawal of policemen from the 23 council headquarters.
Ikwerre council was torched by yet-to-be identified arsonists.
Earlier, anti-Fubara group from the LGA had raised an alarm over an alleged move by armed men suspected to be loyal to the State Governor to instill fear in the residents and gain entry into the council premises, by shooting sporadically.
A similar violence was earlier recorded at the Eleme council headquarters, where some targeted buildings were set ablaze and furniture destroyed.
The fire outbreak occurred shortly after the Inspector-General of Police asked policemen, who initially sealed the secretariats to avoid violence, to withdraw from the facilities immediately.
Similarly, some persons were wounded as pro and anti-Fubara groups clashed in Ogu/Bolo LGA shortly after police unsealed the headquarters.
So far, no arrest has been made, and the police have yet to release official statement on the incident and other skirmishes in some parts of the state.
