Gunmen opened fire on a peaceful gathering of youths in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State on Wednesday, leaving four people injured. The youths, believed to be supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had assembled at a roundabout in solidarity with the governor when the attack occurred, further heightening political tensions in the state.
The incident followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued to Governor Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly to re-submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill before its March 5 deadline.
Speaking via telephone, an eyewitness identified as Nwokoro alleged that the attack was carried out by a senior local vigilante commander in the area.
According to him, the commander, known as ‘Fucking Naira,’ arrived at the scene unexpectedly and opened fire on the pro-Fubara supporters.
“He shot about 14 people, all of whom sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were rushed to Madonna University Hospital in Elele for treatment,” Nwokoro alleged.
He further claimed that the shooter is a factional leader of a prominent political party and a loyalist of a well-known politician in the state. He also alleged that the vigilante commander had threatened to continue attacking the governor’s supporters.
Nwokoro called on security agencies to intervene swiftly, arrest the perpetrator, and ensure his prosecution.
Confirming the attack, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that four individuals had sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
She explained that the attack occurred shortly after a patrol team from the Elele Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), arrived at the roundabout to address the unlawful gathering.
“While officers were engaging with the crowd, an unidentified gunman, hiding nearby, opened fire, injuring multiple people. As of the time of this report, only four individuals have been confirmed injured,” she stated.
She added that one of the attackers was arrested while attempting to flee, and a single-barrel gun was recovered from him.
Iringe-Koko revealed that security operatives had launched a manhunt for the remaining assailants who escaped. She also noted that some of the attackers had been identified as members of the Obio/Akpor Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), a local vigilante group.
The police spokesperson assured the public that all those responsible for the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.
