Supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara clashed with supporters of ex-governor Nyesom Wike in the state’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, on Wednesday, causing a baby to be tear-gassed and unconscious.
According to reports, the altercation occurred during a government medical outreach in the Eliozu town of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the violence began when officials from the Rivers State Ministry of Health conducted a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.
It was said that no sooner had the program begun than when supporters purportedly loyal to the factional Speaker of the River State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the location to enquire about the cause for the meeting.
The venue is supposed to be near the home of Amaewhule, the head of Wike’s 27 legislators.
However, followers of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke Ihunwo, who are loyal to Fubara, allegedly prevented them from entering the location, resulting in a heated disagreement and subsequent clash.
Following the fisticuffs, stones were thrown from various sources, disrupting the medical outreach abruptly.
A few minutes later, a team of anti-riot police arrived on the scene, firing tear gas to disperse the opposing groups and prevent the situation from becoming out of control.
It was reported that a toddler was tear-gassed during the chaos and became unconscious.
The scenario necessitated the relocation of the medical outreach to a state-owned medical facility on the Waterlines axis in Port Harcourt, where the programme was begun.
In response to the incident, the Obio/Akpor CTC Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, accused Amaewhule of leading police officers to interrupt the outreach.
Reacting to the incident, the Obio/Akpor CTC Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, accused Amaewhule, of leading policemen to disrupt the outreach.
Ihunwo stated, “This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.
“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.
“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.
“We are calling on you to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear governor alone.”
When reached, Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the event.
In a brief message to our correspondent, Iringe-Koko stated that the police responded to a distress call on the scenario and that the inquiry was still ongoing.
She stated, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.
“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order.
“The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”
