Violence has erupted in Rivers State, Nigeria, following the swearing-in of new local government chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday.
The newly built council secretariat at Isiokpo in the Ikwerre Local Government area has been set ablaze, with videos circulating on social media showing the administrative building on fire.
This incident follows the withdrawal of police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the commissioner of police.
A former ambassador, Oji Ngofa, reported that the newly elected chairman of the Eleme council, Brain Gokpa, arrived at the secretariat with his councilors and supporters, only to discover that some buildings had been set ablaze.
Similarly, sections of the Eleme council secretariat were also torched earlier.
In Emohua council, unknown individuals have barricaded the entrance to the secretariat, resisting the resumption of the new Chairman, David Omereju, and chanting “No Wike, No Rivers State”.
The situation remains tense, with no arrests made and the police yet to release a statement.
These incidents are the latest in a series of issues since Governor Fubara’s swearing-in, including explosions, protests, and gunshots during the lead-up to Saturday’s election.
The Inspector-General of Police had ordered the withdrawal of police squads from the secretariats, which many saw as a signal for violence.
