As predicted, the re-run legislative elections in Rivers State was a bloody to some extent. The National and State legislative re-run elections in Rivers State spiraled out of security control at several hot spots on Saturday, leaving at least seven people dead.
The deaths occurred at Abalama in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Eleme in Eleme LGA, Nonwa in Tai LGA and Ogboloko in Abua/Odual LGA.
So far, 12 persons have been arrested as Nyesom Wike leading the PDP and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi leading the APC were locked in a fierce battle for the political soul of the oil rich state.
As the tension boiled over...
the electoral body, INEC, suspended elections in Bonny, Andoni, Gokana, Khana, Tai and Eleme areas.
The identities of the victims could not be immediately verified, sources said a man killed in Abalama was an immigration officer serving in the state. He was allegedly killed by unknown gunmen.
Four people were killed at Eleme and one each in Tai and Ogboloko.
But police said their records showed that only one person died at Eleme.
Security operatives arrested eight persons in Khana LGA of the state for alleged electoral violence and for parading themselves as policemen.
One of the suspects was alleged to be an aide to a top functionary in the state hierarchy.
But the elections went on peacefully in other parts of the state.
Some voters opted to stay at home to avoid security screening by soldiers and policemen deployed to keep the peace during the elections.
Police PRO, Rivers Police Command, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, told NAN in Port Harcourt that it received report about the death of one person in Eleme.
Muhammad said 10 people were arrested in Eleme while two were picked up on their way to Akinima, Ahoada West area.
He said, “The suspects committed election-related offences. They are being interrogated while investigation has commenced on the offences committed.”
He also said the police did not know what caused the death of a middle-aged man in Eleme but added that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area received the report.
He said the command did necessary deployments to ensure credible elections in the state.
Thugs allegedly snatched election materials around 2.30pm at three units in WIiyaakara Ward, Khana area.
A 14-seater bus was burnt down in Alode, Eleme area, there were also reports of a shoot-out in Rumuekini, Obio Akpor area.
The Army in the state paraded some fake soldiers arrested at Khana, all in a guise to disrupt the election.
