In Rivers State, Nigeria, four Local Government Secretariates have been set ablaze by Martins Amaewhule’s led faction.
The Ikwerre Local Government secretariat was engulfed in flames. A local resident confirmed the incident to Channels Television, with videos circulating on social media showing the administrative building ablaze.
So far, the police have not released any statement regarding the extent of the damage, and it remains unclear how much of the building was affected.
This attack occurred few hours after the unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats in the state by the commissioner of police.
Another secretariat, Emohua Local Government Area, also faced a similar fate. Reports indicate that youths protesting the installation of the newly elected chairman, David Omereji, set the building on fire.
The protesters were heard chanting in support of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stating that Omereji would not be allowed to assume office.
The same thing happened in Eleme Local Government Area, parts of the council’s secretariat were also set ablaze.
A former ambassador, Oji Ngofa, who hails from Eleme, explained that the newly elected chairman, Brain Gokpa, arrived at the scene with councillors and supporters only to find some buildings in flames.
Gokpa has accused his predecessor of orchestrating the arson and has reported the matter to the police.
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Tensions remain high in Emohua as unidentified individuals have blocked the entrance to the secretariat, preventing Omereji from assuming his new role. In a widely shared video, protesters can be heard chanting, “No Wike, No Rivers State!”
Obioakpo and Degema council secretariats were not left out in the fire spray.
News has it that these affected local government councils were the councils where their former council chairmen refused to leave office at the expiration of their tenure and they are all the camp of Minister, Nyenso Wike.
Despite these alarming incidents, no arrests have been made, and the police have yet to provide an official statement on the situation.
Fear of potential violence looms as unrest spreads across several councils in the state.
This unrest follows the swearing-in of new local government chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday.
