By Abiola Olawale
The local government elections currently underway in Rivers State have reportedly escalated into violence, reportedly characterized by intense gunfire in the Rumuepirikom community, the hometown of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
According to reports, some unidentified persons armed with guns invaded the town, shooting sporadically into the air.
The unidentified men were heard shouting at everyone to go back to their respective houses amid the ongoing local government elections in the area.
It was gathered that the unidentified gunmen who arrived in the area under heavy gunfire took the community hostage scaring people from coming out to participate in the election.
At least, one person was said to have sustained a bullet injury and has been rushed to a health facility for treatment. A local community boy was said to have gone to the townhall and lock up the hall in a bid to prevent Rivers state election officials from performing their duties in the hall.
The New Diplomat reports that this comes amid the ongoing local government elections in Rivers State.
The election has been seen as generally peaceful in many LGAs until this development in Wike’s community which has been generating massive concern.
The election has also been perceived by many political analysts as a raging war and supremacy battle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor, Wike, a two-term governor of Rivers State.
The battle has escalated to today’s local government election as the two heavyweights fight dirty for control of the grassroots.
