The newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mustapha Bala, conducted inspection visits on Wednesday to several local government council secretariats impacted by the violence that occurred on Monday.
The inspection followed a meeting with Chijioke Ihunwo at the Obio/Akpor council in Rumuodumaya.
He also made a stop in Emohua to assess the damage firsthand, followed by visits to Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government.
In a video, Bala is seen accompanied by both unarmed civilians and armed security personnel as he toured and inspected several of the affected secretariats.
These inspections come in the wake of widely reported political violence and rising tensions in the state.
Violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas, with parts of the council buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua set on fire. Gunshots were also heard in Ahoada East as locals resisted the newly appointed council officials.
The arson attacks on the secretariats came after the Commissioner of Police withdrew officers who had been guarding the 23 council secretariats.
Despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police withdrawing from the election process, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained firm in his decision to proceed with the election, which was held on Saturday.
Following a tense electoral exercise, the Action People’s Party (APP) secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions in the oil-rich state, while the Action Alliance (AA) won one seat.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara officially swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen in Rivers State on Sunday. However, several of the newly appointed officials faced attacks upon taking office on Monday, with some council secretariats set ablaze by political opponents.
Rivers Govt Sets Up Committee
The Rivers State Government has established a judicial inquiry to investigate the arson, killings, and other forms of violence that occurred in the state.
In response to the attacks, Governor Siminalayi Fubara promised to take firm action against those responsible for the destruction of three local government secretariats.
He assured that this incident will not be overlooked, as his administration intends to work closely with security agencies to identify the culprits and ensure they are held accountable.
A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on Tuesday, said the setting up of the judicial committee was pursuant to Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law, Cap 30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The statement said, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has approved the Setting-up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arson, killings, and wanton destruction of property at some Local Government Council Headquarters which occurred on or about Monday, October 7, 2024.”
Members of the Commission are:
(1) Hon. Justice I.R. Minakiri – Chairman
(2) Barr. Felicia Nwoke – Member
(3) Prof. Blessing Didia – Member
(4) Sir Samuel Egbe – Member
(5) Venerable Alex Usifor – Member
(6) Barr. Uzor Ikenga – Counsel to the Commission
(7) Mrs. Inyingi Brown – Secretary
Members of the Commission were sworn in on Tuesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.