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Enioluwa Adeniyi
Guest
Pandemonium broke out on Monday in Isiokpo, the headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, as police officers dispersed council workers with gunfire and teargas.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as officers in several patrol vans arrived at the local government secretariat, firing shots and releasing tear gas to disperse workers who had gathered to resume duties.
The sudden police intervention forced council employees to flee, with many reportedly running into nearby bushes for safety. The confrontation resulted in injuries, including two women, who were hurt in the rush to escape the chaotic scene.
This disturbance comes amid ongoing security concerns in Ikwerre LGA, which has been a focal point of violence following the recent local government elections.
The council had previously been closed alongside two other local government secretariats to prevent further unrest after political thugs allegedly attacked these facilities.
A source who spoke with Punch confirmed that the National Union of Local Government Employees had instructed council staff to resume work, a directive now disrupted by the police intervention.
The source, who craved anonymity for fear of his life, said, “This morning, the National Union of Local Government Workers asked their members to resume work at the Ikwerre Local Government.
“While we were there, we saw more than 100 policemen fully armed. And they started shooting and firing teargas everywhere, workers, women and everybody started running.
“As I speak now, two women slumped and the policemen are now allowing access to medical care.”
The Chief of Staff of Ikwerre LGA, Richard Henry, confirmed the incident, saying there may be some casualties because many of the workers ran into the bushes.
Henry stated, “They came to the premises and shot teargas everywhere and people were running helter-skelter.
“Our mothers and youths who were there are injured. We don’t know if there was any death because many people ran into the bush. The policemen came with a hot water tank and about 11 Hilux vans.”
While condemning the policemen’s action, he said the attack was unwarranted, as the matter of the councils burning was before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
“All of them were armed. Moreover, this matter is before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry and they came to teargas everybody which is not fair. We will resist them,” he said.
The police took responsibility for its presence at the Ikwerre council secretariat.
Spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a chat with Punch, said the Ikwerre LG secretariat was closed following the arson because it was one of the worst hit.
She stated, “It is not men in police uniform. They are police officers in the command who went there to maintain law and order.
“You know because of the local government that was burnt, a panel of inquiry was set up by the governor to look into the immediate and remote causes of the secretariats that were burnt and the sitting is ongoing.
“All the secretariats that were attacked are under lock and key, and this Ikwerre LGA is one with major damage.
“Now some mobs, over 300, damaged the gate and forced themselves into the secretariat, either to loot or further destroy properties. That was the reason the police were called upon.
“And in response, our men swiftly mobilised and went there to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order and restore peace by dispersing them, so that they don’t destroy any facility.”
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