BREAKING: Gunshots As Crisis Rocks Rivers Over Lifting Of Restriction On LG Secretariats

Tensions reportedly flared in Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State following the lifting of a three-month ban on local government secretariats by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday.

Ahoada East is home to Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Governor. According to a witness at the scene who later fled for safety, police officers were seen firing warning shots to disperse people attempting to prevent the resumption of the Ahoada East chairman on Monday.

Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, announced the reopening of all 23 LGA secretariats in the state.

Read Also: BREAKING: Hours After Fubara Swore In Newly Elected Chairmen And Raised Alarm Over Planned Violence, IGP Withdraws Policemen From Rivers LG Secretariats

Acting on the IGP’s orders, newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers who had been stationed to secure the sealed secretariats.

The secretariats had been sealed in June due to a dispute between Caretaker Committee Chairmen loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the outgoing local government chairmen, who were aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Read Also: BREAKING: Fire Guts LG Secretariat In Rivers State

This development came just after Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in 23 newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday, following elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent National Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Additionally, there were reports of an attempted blockade at the Port Harcourt City LGA secretariat earlier on Monday when the newly elected chairman, Ezebunwo Ichemati, tried to access the premises.

The situation was defused as the chairman, councillors, and supporters arrived at the council, with Ichemati later seen overseeing the clearing and cleaning of the council facilities.

For More Information And News Update, Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z