There is an ongoing protest in some local government areas of Rivers state, just as the newly sworn-in chairmen resumed for duty.
Political tensions in Rivers State escalated on Monday as explosions and protests disrupted local government activities across several areas.
This unrest follows an order from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directing the unsealing of the secretariats of all 23 local governments and the withdrawal of police personnel who had been stationed there since July.
The Eleme Local Government Area (LGA) witnessed severe chaos as the secretariat was set ablaze following an explosion believed to have originated from a dynamite device.
Eye witnesses ported that buildings and vehicles were engulfed in flames, heightening fears among residents.
In the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, protests intensified as demonstrators stormed the council headquarters in Omoku, preventing the newly sworn-in chairman from taking office. One local resident stated, “We will not allow the government to function without our voices being heard. This is our way of showing discontent.”