ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The newly elected Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government in Rivers State, Israel Abosi, has assumed control of the council secretariat in Isiokpo, less than 24 hours after it was set ablaze by arsonists on Monday.
Abosi, along with his deputy, newly elected councillors, and a large group of supporters—including members of a local vigilante group armed with guns—took over the secretariat on Tuesday morning.Â
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Amid gunfire into the air, they chanted solidarity songs, daring their political opponents to challenge them at the secretariat.
The arson at both Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Council secretariats occurred following the withdrawal of police officers from the 23 local government secretariats, a move ordered by the state’s commissioner of police, Kayode Egbetokun.
This withdrawal sparked outrage and blame games, escalating tensions in the state.
President Bola Tinubu later intervened, directing the Nigerian Police Force to restore security at all 23 local government secretariats to prevent further incidents of violence.
The incident has heightened political tensions in Rivers State, as local leaders and political actors continue to exchange accusations over responsibility for the violence.