Rivers State: Eleme LG Secretariat Destroyed in Fire Incident

A fire has gutted a section of the Eleme Local Government Secretariat in Rivers State, with authorities launching an investigation into the cause. No casualties reported so far.

A portion of the Eleme Local Government Council secretariat has been set on fire.

In a phone conversation with former Ambassador Oji Ngofa from Eleme, it was revealed that the newly elected chairman, Brain Gokpa, arrived at the council secretariat with his councilors and supporters only to find that several buildings in the area had been set on fire.

The newly elected council chairman, along with his councilors and supporters, has pledged to assume control of the secretariat regardless of any obstacles.

In Emohua council, unidentified individuals have blocked the entrance to the secretariat, opposing David Omereju’s commencement as the new Chairman. In a social media video, they are heard chanting “No Wike, No Rivers State!”

As of now, no arrests have been reported, and the police have not yet issued any statements regarding the situation. There is a noticeable concern about possible violent outbreaks in certain areas of the state.

Read Also: IGP Directs Immediate Withdrawal of Police from Rivers LGAs Amidst Crisis

While details remain unclear, this incident occurs only days after the Rivers Local Government Elections were dominated by the Action Peoples Party (APP).

On Monday, a dispute arose in the Ahoada Local Government Area of the state following the police’s reopening of council secretariats under instructions from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Channels Television reported that several police officers were seen firing shots into the air to disperse individuals attempting to resist the chairman’s return in Ahoada East LGA.

Ahoada East is the local government area of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Governor. This incident arises just days after council elections in this oil-rich state.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) dominated the elections, securing victories in 22 out of the 23 Local Government Areas, leaving only one for the Action Alliance (AA).