Barely three hours after the Rivers State Police Command announced the unsealing of previously closed local government secretariats, violence erupted in several areas, leading to arson, shootings, and fatalities.
On Monday morning, a section of the Eleme Local Government secretariat was set on fire shortly after the arrival of newly elected chairman Brian Gokpa, who was accompanied by councillors and supporters.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers deliberately targeted specific buildings within the complex, causing extensive damage. The exact motivation behind the attack remains unclear.
The secretariats had been sealed since June following a political standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former political ally, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. The closures forced caretaker chairmen appointed by Fubara to operate from alternative locations.
Despite Wike’s efforts to block them, local government elections were held on Saturday, October 5, and the swearing-in of new chairmen by Governor Fubara took place yesterday.
Earlier in the day, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the decision to unseal the secretariats based on directives from Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, relayed the IGP’s order to withdraw police personnel stationed at the secretariats to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic processes. The police emphasized that they would only return if a security threat emerged.
While the police urged residents to remain calm and assured them of maintaining peace, the attack on the Eleme secretariat has raised concerns about the security of other local government offices as newly elected officials begin to assume their roles.