Heavy gunfire and violence have been reported across several Local Government Areas in Rivers State on Monday.
Armed thugs are attempting to stop newly sworn-in local government chairmen from entering their offices.
The clashes come just days after the local government elections, which were conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission on Saturday.
According to a Vanguard News report, a political group opposed to the outcome of the LGA elections mobilized about 20 youths per ward to block the chairmen and councillors from accessing their council secretariats.
Gunfire has been reported in various locations, including the Ikwerre Local Government Secretariat in Isiokpo and the Khana Secretariat in Bori.
Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara had sworn in 23 elected local government chairmen after the elections.
However, as these newly elected officials tried to resume office, violence broke out in several LGAs, with bloody clashes, explosions, and gunshots shaking different parts of the state.
In Emohua Local Government Area, members of the Peoples Democratic Party who were unhappy with the election results reportedly took over the council.
Similarly, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, protesters stormed the council headquarters in Omoku, preventing the newly sworn-in chairman from assuming office.
One of the most severe incidents took place in Eleme LGA, where arsonists set the council secretariat on fire by throwing explosives. Vehicles and other properties were destroyed in the explosion, leaving the area in chaos.
The violence escalated after the Inspector-General of Police directed officers, who had sealed off the council secretariats to prevent clashes, to withdraw. This withdrawal left the secretariats vulnerable to attacks from political thugs.
