BREAKING: Tension as masked police officers chase voters in Rivers

• Police in Rivers have been alleged to have disrupted local government elections in Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City local
• According to the report, the security operatives arrived in 21 Hilux patrol vans and fired teargas to scatter voters and officials of the RSIEC
• It was also alleged that the heavily armed police officers ordered the RSIEC to remove their vests and vacate the venue

Chaos erupted at Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City local government area as Nigerian Police operatives arrived in 21 Hilux patrol vans, firing teargas and scattering voters and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) officials.

Heavily armed policemen, some masked, ordered RSIEC officials to remove their vests and leave the venue, disrupting accreditation in Ward 19.

Police allegedly disrupted the election in Port Harcourt Photo Credit: @SimFubaraKSC, @PoliceNG
Source: Twitter

Eyewitnesses described the scene as panicked, with teargas canisters fired directly into the crowd, causing residents to flee in confusion.

Electoral officers, voters run in Port Harcourt

Many RSIEC officials, voters, and residents ran into nearby Boms streets, creating tension in the area.

When contacted, Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, claimed unawareness of the incident, saying, "I'm not aware. You are just telling me now."

The sudden police intervention raises concerns about electoral interference and the integrity of the local government elections in Rivers State.

There has been tension in Rivers ahead of the local government elections in Rivers state with several court injunctions against the process.

Police announce withdrawal from Rivers election

The police had earlier announced a plan to withdraw from the poll following a court judgment. However, Legit.ng, while monitoring the poll on Saturday morning, the police were seen providing security for the electorate during the poll.

Rivers' controversies concerning the election have been considered a test of power between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now a minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Wike and Fubara were at loggerheads soon after the latter resumed office, and their latest controversies concerned the PDP's leadership structure in the state.

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Source: Legit.ng