Many feared dead as Ijaw youth council election turns violent in Rivers

An unspecified number of people have been reportedly killed during the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) eastern zone election in Abulomma LGA of Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focusing on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred on Saturday evening after chaos ensued among some IYC members.

The publication said the violence broke out after several candidates refused to step down for major contenders like EG Ateke, an ex-Niger Delta militant, and Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force (NDPSF).

Makama said the tension led to the death of one person, after which the police intervened and restored order in the area.

The publication added that the unrest intensified on Sunday morning when additional bodies were discovered in the community.

In a statement on Sunday, Grace Woyengikuro Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers state, confirmed the incident, noting that the command has dispatched its tactical team to the scene.

Iringe-Koko noted that Olatunji Disu, the commissioner of police in the state, has ordered that the perpetrators be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The Rivers state police command is aware of the senseless and sporadic shooting at Abuloma area in the Port-Harcourt city local government of the State where the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone were conducting their elections,” the statement reads.

“Consequently, the commissioner of police Rivers state has swiftly dispatched tactical teams to the scene, but before the arrival of the Police, the perpetrators have run into their hidings.

“The commissioner of police has given marching orders to track down the perpetrators and bring them to face the full wrath of the law.

“Meanwhile, the command wishes to advise all law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses and report any suspicious movement to the police, as normalcy has returned to the area, please.”