Breaking: Tension escalates as 3rd LGA secretariats set ablaze amid Rivers political crisis [VIDEO]

The political unrest in Rivers State has deepened following the torching of the Emohua Local Government Council Secretariat, allegedly by thugs believed to be loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Thediscovererng.com reports that the violence comes in the wake of disputes surrounding the recent local government elections.

The attack on the Emohua secretariat marks the third local government office to be set on fire in recent days, following similar incidents in Eleme and Ikwerre LGAs. Reports suggest that the thugs, angered by the election results and the swearing-in of new council chairmen by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, stormed the secretariat buildings and set parts of them ablaze.

In Eleme, significant portions of the secretariat were damaged, while in Ikwerre, the office of the chairman was also targeted and destroyed by fire. Looting has reportedly broken out in several council offices across the state, with mobs carting away office equipment and materials.

Watch the video below;

https://x.com/AskPHPeople/status/1843272894543008022?t=ZpCeL4lSBITI2KQVxLgzhQ&s=19

The violence follows the withdrawal of police personnel from LGA premises, ordered by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Security forces had been stationed at the gates of council offices to maintain order during the election period but were removed in response to political developments.

The escalating crisis has raised fears of further violence and instability in the oil-rich state, with stakeholders calling for calm and urging political actors to resolve their differences peacefully. As the situation continues to unfold, residents and observers alike are on edge, waiting to see whether the tension will subside or worsen in the coming days.