Armed Police Reportedly Disrupt Rivers Healthcare Programme

Reports have indicated that a fresh crisis has unfolded in Rivers State as supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday were reportedly harassed and intimidated in parts of the state.

According to Channels Television, individuals loyal to Fubara were reportedly harassed and chased away from a location in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, where they were set to receive food items distributed by the state government.

Similar incidents were also reported in the Apani community, also in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

In both areas, pro-Fubara politicians, appointed as Caretaker Committee Chairmen before the Supreme Court judgment, were scheduled to attend events planned for Wednesday.

Details of the Apani incident remain unclear.

However, a pro-Fubara politician from  Obio/Akpor, Chijioke Ihunwo, said armed police officers carried out the disruption in Eliozu.

Ihunwo alleged that the police, acting on the orders of the Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers, Martin Amaewhule, fired shots into the air and released teargas to disperse residents attending a healthcare programme organised by the State Ministry of Health at the Eliozu Primary Healthcare Centre.

Naija News reports that Eliozu is the home of Martin Amaewhule and a neighbouring community to Rumunduru, where Chijioke Ihunwo comes from.

On Monday, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, passed a resolution requesting the police to arrest individuals claiming to be caretaker committee chairmen in light of the Supreme Court judgment.

It is unclear if the incidents being reported are a response to this directive.

Neither the police nor Martin Amaewhule has provided an official response to these allegations.