ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Rivers State Police Command, have confirmed the killing of a police officer and a vigilante member in the Omuma Local Government Area on Tuesday.Â
The police have taken over the 23 council secretariats and deployed conventional and anti-riot police officers to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The deceased persons were killed around the premises of Omuma LGA council secretariat during a protest.
A source in the area said a policeman attached to a politician in the area had first shot the vigilante member, who was among the Pro-Fubara protesters, and that his men (vigilante members) retaliated and shot a policeman.Â
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Another source claimed that it was the vigilante members who had shot the policeman before the security men attached to a pro-Wike politician fired back and killed the local security member.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident and said:
“Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state. Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem that we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”
Vanguard