Many injured as police disperse Rivers LG workers with gunshots, teargas

On Monday, the town of Isiokpo, the administrative center of Ikwerre Local Government Area, erupted into chaos as police officers forcefully dispersed council workers with gunfire and tear gas.

The officers arrived in multiple patrol vans and stormed the local government secretariat in a “commando style,” firing shots sporadically, prompting workers to flee in panic.

The incident prevented workers from resuming duties at the council, despite a directive from the National Union of Local Government Employees.

Ikwerre LGA has been especially tense following attacks by suspected political thugs on various council offices after recent local government elections.

Since those attacks, the council and two other nearby councils have remained closed as a precaution against further violence.

Eyewitnesses reported that several workers sustained injuries, including two women who were hurt while attempting to escape.

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Many workers fled into surrounding bushes for safety as the scene unfolded, adding to the alarm and confusion.

The source who craved anonymity for fear of his life, said, “This morning, the National Union of Local Government Workers asked their members to resume work at the Ikwerre Local Government.

“While we were there, we saw more than 100 policemen fully armed. And they started shooting and firing teargas everywhere, workers, women and everybody started running.

“As I speak now, two women slumped and the policemen are now allowing access to medical care.”

The Chief of Staff of Ikwerre LGA, Richard Henry, confirmed the incident, saying there may be some casualties because many of the workers ran into the bushes.

Henry stated, “They came to the premises and shot teargas everywhere and people were running helter-skelter.

“Our mothers and youths who were there are injured. We don’t know if there was any death because many people ran into the bush. The policemen came with a hot water tank and about 11 Hilux vans.”

While condemning the action of the policemen, he said the attack was unwarranted, as the matter of the burning of the councils was before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“All of them were armed. Moreover, this matter is before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry and they came to teargas everybody which is not fair. We will resist them,” he said.

The police took responsibility for its presence at the Ikwerre council secretariat.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a chat with our correspondent, said the Ikwerre LG secretariat was closed following the arson because it was one of the worst hit.

She stated, “It is not men in police uniform. They are police officers in the command who went there to maintain law and order.

“You know because of the local government that was burnt, a panel of inquiry was set up by the governor to look into the immediate and remote causes of the secretariats that were burnt and the sitting is ongoing.

“All the secretariats that were attacked are under lock and key, and this Ikwerre LGA is one with major damage.

“Now some mobs, over 300, damaged the gate and forced themselves into the secretariat, either to loot or further destroy properties. That was the reason the police were called upon.

“And in response, our men swiftly mobilised and went there to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order and restore peace by dispersing them, so that they don’t destroy any facility.”

(Punch)