Police take over Rivers council headquarters amid rising tension

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the seizure of the council headquarters following clashes between supporters of Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers, and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.

The turmoil began after youths stormed LGA secretariats on Tuesday to remove sitting chairpersons, whose term ended on Monday.

After the expiration of the chairpersons’ tenure, Fubara instructed the heads of local government administration to immediately take charge of the 23 council areas of the state.

READ ALSO: Wike vs Fubara: Police occupy LGA secretariats amid bloody Rivers crisis

Despite the governor’s command, some of the former LGA chairpersons allegedly tried to resume their duties at the council secretariat, but they were driven away by youths.

In the confrontation at Eberi-Omuma community in Okuama LGA, a police officer and one vigilante member lost their lives.

The next day, Fubara inaugurated the caretaker committee chairpersons for the 23 LGAs.

A few of the caretaker chairpersons were unable to enter the council offices as armed police officers were still stationed at the LGA headquarters.

In an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Darlington Orji, caretaker committee chairman of Ikwere LGA, mentioned that after the swearing-in ceremony, he was unable to access the council as it was blocked off by police officers.

Orji stated that the police officers claimed they were following the orders of Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police.

In recent months, Rivers has been embroiled in a political crisis due to the feud between Fubara and Wike.

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