4 feared killed as heavy shooting mars IYC election
Story by Jane AISO
At least four people are feared dead following a violent outbreak at the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eastern Zone election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday. The chaos erupted when over 100 armed men stormed the Abuloma Model Primary School, where the election was being held, firing sporadically and causing destruction, including pulling down canopies and setting a bus ablaze.
Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen, believed to be acting on the orders of a warlord with vested interests in the election outcome, disrupted the otherwise peaceful exercise. The heavy shooting lasted for over four hours, sending the Abuloma community and nearby areas into a state of panic as residents and business owners scrambled for safety.
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In response to the violence, the Rivers State Police Command issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko. “The Commissioner of Police immediately dispatched tactical teams to the scene, but by the time the police arrived, the perpetrators had already fled into hiding,” she said. The Police Commissioner has ordered a manhunt for those responsible, vowing that they will face justice.
SP Iringe-Koko further assured the public that normalcy had been restored in the area, urging residents to continue their daily activities without fear. However, there is growing tension in the community, with many fearing a possible reprisal attack from the opposing group.
The Rivers State Police Command advised residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities as investigations continue. While the situation appears to be under control, the atmosphere remains tense as the community waits to see if more violence will erupt.
Written by Sekinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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