ATense situation is unfolding in Rivers State, Nigeria, as armed thugs are reportedly trying to prevent the newly sworn-in local government area chairmen from accessing their offices.
This comes after the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) concluded the local government area elections on Sunday, and Governor Siminialayi Fubara sworn in the 23 elected chairmen.
According to Grace Iringe-Koko, Public Relations Officer of the state police command, the Inspector General of Police had ordered policemen to vacate the premises of the LGAs in the state. However, a political group opposed to the election results is mobilizing 20 youths per ward to block the new chairmen and councilors from entering the council secretariats.
Eyewitnesses report heavy shootings at several local government areas, including Ikwerre LGA secretariat in Isiokpo and Khana LGA secretariat in Bori. The situation is rapidly escalating, with multiple locations affected.
No official statements have been released by the authorities, but the development is causing widespread concern. The Rivers State government and security agencies are yet to comment on the unfolding crisis.