Two feared dead as Rivers gunmen disrupt election

Map of Rivers State

Two individuals are feared dead following a chaotic shooting during the Ijaw Youth Council election in the Abuloma area of Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The election, organised by the IYC central zone to elect new executives, had initially been postponed but was rescheduled for Saturday.

According to reports, the election was disrupted midway when gunmen stormed the venue and opened fire indiscriminately.

In the ensuing chaos, members of the council fled for safety, with two unidentified individuals reportedly struck by stray bullets. The election was abruptly halted.

In response to the incident, the Rivers State Police Command launched a manhunt for the gunmen involved in the invasion.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, condemned the shooting, describing it as “senseless” in a statement.

While she did not confirm any casualties, Iringe-Koko stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, had immediately dispatched tactical units to the scene.

However, by the time police arrived, the attackers had fled.

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of the senseless and sporadic shooting in the Abuloma area during the Ijaw Youth Council Central Zone elections,” the police statement read. “The Commissioner of Police swiftly dispatched Tactical Teams to the scene, but the perpetrators had already escaped.”

Iringe-Koko further stated that the commissioner had ordered a full-scale crackdown to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Normalcy has returned to the area, and law-abiding citizens are encouraged to continue their daily activities,” the statement added, urging residents to report any suspicious activity to the police.

When asked about the alleged casualties, Iringe-Koko said the command had not yet received confirmation, adding that investigations were ongoing.