News

Rivers Crisis: 5 Killed, LG Headquarters Razed as Chairmen Flee

Published

2 months ago

Oct 8, 2024.

James Agbenu

At least five people were feared dead yesterday following violent attacks by armed thugs at various local government council secretariats in Rivers State.

The newly sworn-in chairmen of some local governments were also forced out of their offices by the assailants.

President Bola Tinubu responded by directing the police to ensure the security of the local government officials and to restore peace, law, and order immediately. He also urged law enforcement agencies to take control of the situation and protect public institutions.

Although the Rivers State Police have yet to issue a formal statement on the attacks, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the police would not engage in a public dispute with Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the political crisis in the state.

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The ongoing violence at some local government secretariats has caused widespread fear and panic in the affected communities. As of noon yesterday, reports indicated that five people had been killed, and four local government buildings were set on fire.

It was reported that the newly appointed local government chairmen, who were sworn in on Sunday, encountered resistance from youths opposed to their election when they arrived at their respective council secretariats. Some youths claimed they were there to clean up the premises for the outgoing council chairmen whose terms had ended.

Gunfire erupted during the confrontation, resulting in injuries and the reported deaths of five individuals. Eyewitnesses reported that one person was killed in Khana, three in Oyibo, and one in Ahoada-East.

As the violence continued, secretariats in Eleme, Emohua, Ikwerre, and Etche were set ablaze. In Eleme, thugs stormed the council secretariat around 11 a.m., setting parts of it on fire to prevent the new chairman from accessing his office. Similar incidents occurred in other local government areas, with claims that the recent election was illegal fueling the attacks.

Reacting to the crisis, President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized the need to protect public facilities and rejected the notion of self-help in a democratic system. He stressed that political disputes should be resolved through the judiciary and called on Governor Fubara and other political leaders in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

The President also expressed concern over the reports of arson and explosions, urging political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence.

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