There was a race for dear life scene at Isiokpo, Rivers State, on Monday as police dispersed council workers with gunfire and tear gas, injuring scores and forcing many to flee home for safety.
The incident occurred at the Ikwerre Local Government Area secretariat, which was previously attacked and burned by suspected political thugs after the local government elections.
An eyewitness said, “This morning, the National Union of Local Government Workers asked their members to resume work… We saw over 100 policemen, fully armed, shooting and firing teargas everywhere. Workers, women, and everybody started running.” Two women reportedly slumped during the commotion, and police initially blocked access to medical care.
In response, Chief of Staff of Ikwerre of the LGA, Richard Henry, confirmed the incident and condemned the police action as unwarranted. “They came to the premises, shot teargas everywhere, and people were running helter-skelter. Our mothers and youths were injured. We don’t know if there was any death because many people ran into the bush. The policemen came with a hot water tank and about 11 Hilux vans.
“All of them were armed. Moreover, this matter is before the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry and they came to teargas everybody which is not fair. We will resist them,” he said.
In an address, Spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the Ikwerre LG secretariat was closed following the arson because it was one of the worst hit.
According to her, “It is not men in police uniform. They are police officers in the command who went there to maintain law and order.
“You know because of the local government that was burnt, a panel of inquiry was set up by the governor to look into the immediate and remote causes of the secretariats that were burnt and the sitting is ongoing.
“All the secretariats that were attacked are under lock and key, and this Ikwerre LGA is one with major damage. Now some mobs, over 300, damaged the gate and forced themselves into the secretariat, either to loot or further destroy properties. That was the reason the police were called upon.
“And in response, our men swiftly mobilized and went there to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order and restore peace by dispersing them, so that they don’t destroy any facility,” she clarified.
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