Political unrest in Rivers State escalated as thugs set fire to two local government secretariats following the swearing-in of new council chairmen. Armed attacks and explosive detonations occurred in Eleme and Emohua, raising concerns about safety and political stability in the region.
In Rivers State, Nigeria, political turmoil escalated as thugs attacked local government secretariats following the recent swearing-in of new council chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. On Monday, armed groups targeted several secretariats, setting two ablaze and vandalizing properties. Eleme Local Government Area was among the first hit, where attackers attempted to prevent the newly elected chairman from accessing the office.
In another incident in Ikwerre, the secretariat office was also set on fire amid protests against the legitimacy of the elections held by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. The violence peaked in Emohua, where the newly sworn-in chairman, David Omereji, had just inaugurated his deputy and councilors. The attackers detonated explosives, causing severe damage to the building.
These assaults came after police were withdrawn from local government premises, following an order from the Inspector-General of Police. Reports indicate that gunfire erupted across multiple local government areas as thugs sought to obstruct the newly elected officials. Concerns are growing regarding political stability in the state, particularly with reports of heavy gunfire at various locations, including the Ikwerre and Khana secretariats.
The situation remains precarious as armed groups continue to challenge the legitimacy of the elections, raising alarms about the safety of newly elected officials and the broader implications for governance in Rivers State.
