Full List of LGA Secretariats Torched in Rivers Political Crisis

By Our Correspondent

Violence in Rivers State has reached alarming levels as several local government area (LGA) secretariats have been torched following disputes over recent local government elections.

Starnews NG exclusively gathered that the crisis has led to several losses of lives

Below is a list of LGA secretariats that have been affected:

1. Eleme LGA: The Eleme secretariat was one of the first to be targeted. Thugs stormed the building, setting parts of it on fire, and vowed to prevent the newly sworn-in chairman from accessing the office.

2. Ikwerre LGA: The chairman’s office in Ikwerre was also set ablaze by armed groups protesting the legitimacy of the local elections held in the state. The violence has disrupted council activities and intensified the unrest in the area.

3. Emohua LGA: Following the attack on Eleme and Ikwerre, the Emohua secretariat was also engulfed in flames. Thugs reportedly used explosives to cause significant damage, further escalating the situation.

4. Ahoada East LGA: Recent reports indicate that the Ahoada East LGA secretariat has also been affected, with violent clashes taking place around the premises.

The situation has worsened, with corpses now reportedly littering council offices in Ikwerre and Ahoada East LGAs. The unrest, which started as protests over the local government elections, has turned deadly as armed groups clash around council offices.

Videos circulating online show graphic scenes of bodies around the secretariats, as tensions rise following the rejection of the newly sworn-in chairmen by supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The legitimacy of the elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) remains under dispute, and opposing factions continue to challenge the results.

Authorities have not yet released an official death toll, but violence appears to be spreading to other areas, with gunfire reported at various locations.

The Rivers State Police Command has not confirmed these incidents since security forces withdrew from the council premises following an order from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.