The governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers state, ended abruptly on Tuesday with “two explosions” and sporadic gunshots that sent the crowd fleeing from Okrika National School field, venue of the campaign.
Explosive devices had initially gone off close to the venue, but the supporters of the party reconvened awaiting the arrival of Dakuku Peterside, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Rivers.
The air was charged when Peterside finally arrived and his supporters began singing.
“Under the rain, under the sun, we go follow Dakuku,” they were singing and dancing, until unknown persons began shooting sporadically and everyone, including journalists covering the event, scuttled to safety.
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AFP quoted Peterside as saying that a police officer was killed in the violence.
“Five police officers were shot. One of them is dead and four are lying in critical condition at this hospital,” he told the news agency.
A reporter of Channels Television, who was stabbed, has reportedly been taken to a hospital.
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Okrika is the hometown of Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s first lady.
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