On Wednesday, gunmen launched an attack on a peaceful assembly of youths in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers, who were believed to be supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The group had gathered at a roundabout in Elele to express their solidarity with Fubara when the assault occurred, heightening the already tense political climate in the state.
This incident follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued to Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led state assembly, requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which is set to expire on March 5.
An eyewitness, identified as Nwokoro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack was carried out by a senior local vigilante commander. He described the commander, known as ‘Fucking Naira,’ as having appeared unexpectedly and opened fire on the governor’s supporters in Elele Town.
“He shot approximately 14 people, all of whom sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were subsequently taken to Madonna University Hospital in Elele for treatment,” Nwokoro reported.
He further alleged that the shooter is a factional leader of a prominent political party and a devoted ally of a well-known state politician. Nwokoro claimed that the vigilante commander threatened to continue attacking Fubara’s supporters and urged security agencies to take immediate action to arrest and prosecute him.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers Police Command, confirmed the incident but stated that only four individuals were reported to have sustained gunshot wounds during the attack. She explained that the violence broke out after a patrol unit from Elele Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), arrived at the gathering to address the unlawful assembly.
“While officers were attempting to disperse the crowd, an unidentified assailant hiding nearby opened fire, resulting in multiple injuries. As of this report, only four individuals have been confirmed injured,” Iringe-Koko stated.
She added that after the shooting, the armed assailants attempted to flee, but police managed to apprehend one. A single-barrel gun was recovered from the suspect.
“The injured victims were promptly taken to various hospitals in Elele for urgent medical care. A manhunt is currently underway for the other perpetrators who escaped,” she said.
Iringe-Koko revealed that some of the assailants were identified as members of the local vigilante group known as the Obio/Akpor Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC). She assured that the apprehended suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, promising that all those involved in the attack would be pursued and brought to justice.
