Rivers LG Polls: Two shot as suspected Wike’s loyalists move to enforce court order

Two individuals have sustained gunshot wounds in the Igwuruta Community, located in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State .

This incident reportedly occurred when a group of youths, alleged to be supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, attempted to enforce a High Court Judgment Order.

On Saturday morning, alleged loyalists of Chief Nyesom Wike took control of the Igwuruta Community while residents were awaiting the arrival of electoral materials.

The group claimed they were enforcing a court order that prohibits the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

 It was gathered that while the residents of Igwuruta were preparing to go to their units that the youths numbering over hundred had started chasing people back to their house, insisting that the polls will not hold in the area.

 The leader of the acclaimed loyalists, who is also a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Community, Obinna Ekem, stated that they came out to ensure that the people of Igwuruta community comply to the Federal High Court Judgment that restrained RSIEC from conducting local government elections, but that security men attached to a federal lawmaker in the area opened fire on them.

 He noted that the incident involved security operatives attached to the federal lawmaker representing Ikwerre-Emohua Federal Constituency, Boniface Emerengwa, and the youths, who were out to ensure rule of law.

 Ekem said: “We came out as members of the People’s Democratic Party, who said that we are not participating in the election and we will not allow illegality to be perpetrated in our ward, ward 12 Igwuruta, Ikwerre LGA.

 “We were in our various chapters to ensure that we comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Lifu on the 30th of September. As we were there Barr. Emeregwa and one other Amadi and Azunda led their police orderlies and some thugs to attack us.

 “They shot several persons. Most of them are receiving treatment in hospitals. We ensured that in our various units, we sensitised people that the exercise is in futility and they don’t need to waste their time in what will not yield. We were addressing or people when they came to shot at us.

However, it was gathered that the situation was brought under control by the Divisional Police Officer of the Igwuruta Police Division, who had quickly mobilized men to the area and restored calm.

 It was also learnt that the election did not take place in the community as well as a close community, Omuagwa.