Tension as soldiers break into nightclubs in Port Harcourt

There was tension in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, on Tuesday, following the raid of some nightclubs by soldiers.

Among the clubs raided were Casablanca, Orange Room and Play House in the GRA part of the Garden city.

The armed men where said to have carted away drinks and arrested some of the people went to unwind.

The reason for the action is not clear but some Port Harcourt residents described it as a show of force in preparation for the elections.

A witness said the soldiers were carrying out the raid on the orders of the army authorities following a directive that no nightclub should open between Wednesday and Saturday, the election day.

During the February 23 presidential election, there was an outbreak of violence in the state leading to the death of an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Elections were also cancelled in Bonny and Akuku Toru local government areas because of violence.

Nyesom Wike, governor of the state who is seeking reelection under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged that Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding of Nigeria army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, sent troops to assassinate him on February 15.

The army, however, described Wike’s allegation as “unsubstantiated.”

“The NA does not train assassins as such the institution or her personnel cannot be involved in sending assassins to murder a state Governor as alleged by Gov Nyesom Wike,” the army had replied Wike in a statement.

Sagir Musa, army spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a message seeking explanation on the action of soldiers on Tuesday.