*Ex-council chairmen regroup in Abuja
*Police lose one officer to clashes, take over all council secretariats
As civil servants resume work after the public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ui-Adha celebration, there were indications last night that several council chairmen in Rivers State whose tenure ended on Monday have fled the state.
Afraid for their lives, majority of the council chairmen who had earlier vowed to remain in office after the expiration of their tenure, fled to Abuja where their political godfather Nyesom Wike is minister.
On Monday, thousands of youths believed to be loyalists to Governor Sim Fubara reportedly resisted attempts by the former council chairmen to enter their offices.
At the Obio/Akpor council headquarters, the surging mob attacked the chairman, George Ariolu smashing the windscreen of his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Also, youths suspected to be against tenure elongation of the 23 LGA chairmen, destroyed the sculpture of the former governor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to sources, the move by the former chairmen to relocate to the safety of Abuja came hours after the state governor Siminalayi Fubara directed heads of administration in the 23 local government areas of the state to assume leadership of the local councils.
“The heads of administration are directed to immediately take charge of the councils and provide leadership in their respective local government areas,” said Funara in a state-wide broadcast in Port Harcourt yesterday.
“They must do this with renewed vigour and readiness to serve, while awaiting further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together, ” he stressed.
Also yesterday, Governor Fubara convened an amergency security Council meeting with heads of security agencies in the state.
Addressing the security chiefs, the governor said the meeting became necessary on the face of threats by those he described as “disturbong news from our enemy” to cause trouble in the wake of the expiration of the tenure of the council chairmen. He, however, quickly added, “We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State.”
He said, “You are all aware that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday, 17th June, 2024, and today, we have ordered the heads of Local Government Administration to be in charge while they await further directives.
“It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs of invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that the needful will be done.
“We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State.”
One policeman, 1 vigilante person killed as factions clash
Meanwhile, the Rivers State police command has confirmed the killing of one of its officers and a member if the vigilante in the state as a result of the clash between supporters of Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara.
Below is a statement by the state police command:
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE
Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two Political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state. Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warn anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
SP GRACE IRINGE-KOKO
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
18/6/2024
