Two security operatives have lost their lives in the ongoing Local Government (LG) crisis in Rivers State, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich South-South geopolitical zone.
The fatalities occurred on Tuesday in the Omuma Local Government Area, amidst an invasion of the council headquarters in Eberi-Omuma. Details remain somewhat unclear, but the deaths are believed to be related to the invasion.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident to Channels Television. She stated that a policeman and a vigilante operative were killed in the crisis.
“Two deaths were recorded. A policeman and a vigilante operative lost their lives,” Iringe-Koko said. She added that investigations are ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
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In response to the escalating situation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara convened a security council meeting with heads of security agencies. The meeting, held behind closed doors at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, focused on strategies to address the invasions of local government secretariats.
Following the meeting, Governor Fubara briefed the press, emphasizing that the discussions were centered on measures to contain the disturbances at local government offices.
Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Fubara had directed heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to assume control from the elected council chairmen, whose three-year tenure had ended on Monday. However, 21 of the 23 outgoing LG bosses have refused to hand over, leading to heightened tensions in the state.
