The people of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) in River's State are in disarray as suspected thugs set ablaze their secretariat in the early hours of Monday. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants hurled firebombs at the building, engulfing it in flames. A viral video circulating on social media shows a section of the secretariat covered in thick smoke, with gunshots heard as the thugs fired sporadically.
This incident follows a similar attack on the Eleme Local Government Area secretariat, which was also torched by suspected political operatives. Newly elected chairman Brain Gokpa and his team arrived at the Eleme secretariat to find parts of the complex already destroyed by fire.
Other local governments, including Oyigbo and Ahoada East, have also reported violent clashes and attacks. In some areas, protesters were seen chanting "No Wike, no Rivers State, no Wike, no Secretariat," according to another viral video.
These events come just one day after Governor Siminalayi Fubara warned of potential violence targeting the newly sworn-in local government chairmen. During their swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, the governor revealed that some groups had allegedly mobilized people to disrupt the chairmen's operations as they assumed office. He urged the officials to avoid physical confrontations in the face of unrest.
The attacks occurred after Saturday's local government elections, where opposition parties such as the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, and Labour Party secured seats, while the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chose not to participate.
Earlier on Monday, the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police ordered the reopening of all LGA secretariats that had been sealed off by the police.
