In an effort to prevent further violence, the police have maintained control over the 23 local government secretariats in Rivers State. The crisis erupted over the tenure of council chairmen and councillors, leading to clashes and fatalities.
The death toll from Tuesday’s violence has risen to three, including Police Inspector David Mgbads, vigilante member Samuel Nwigwe, and former student union leader Endwell Ejindu. In response, Police Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a thorough investigation into the killings.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State to restore order. The police have deployed the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Court of Appeal will address the Rivers crisis today, consolidating cases and hearing arguments from all parties involved.
Meanwhile, caretaker chairman Darlington Orji of Ikwere Local Government reported that he was denied access to the secretariat after being sworn in. The police cited orders from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as the reason for barricading the council gates.
Governor Siminalaiyi Fubara defended the appointment of caretaker committees, emphasizing that extending the tenures of chairmen and councillors would set a bad precedent. He urged the caretaker committees to prioritize peace, adhere to the constitution, promote unity, and drive progress at the grassroots level.
As the situation unfolds, the police continue to maintain security to prevent further unrest. Fubara also directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to audit the accounts of the 23 councils within one month.
