Reports say soldiers have invaded Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State in search of perpetrators of violence in the town.
Violence erupted in the town yesterday afternoon during the Presidential and national assembly elections after an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was shot dead by soldiers attached to the area.
Locals say at least 20 persons including a soldier died in the aftermath of the lethal confrontation with dozens more injured.
However, the military in a statement by the army spokesman, Sagir Musa, a Colonel, claimed that 6 locals were killed by soldiers while a soldier died from bullet injuries.
The Rivers State Government is yet to react to the violence in Abonnema but Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State Governor is currently in a war of words with the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham, with the Governor describing the General as a “bloodthirsty illiterate”
Akuku Toru LGA in Rivers State is under siege! Soldiers have cordoned off the LGA and are searching for PDP supporters from house to house! #NigeriaDecides2019 #ElectionNotWar @HQNigerianArmy
— Lady B. 🇲🇲 (@KBUdeogu) February 24, 2019
A 59-year-old Jackrich Pigbo told theportcitynews that soldiers blocked access to the town yesterday evening allowing only officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to exit the town.
The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday described the violence in the area as barbaric with other politicians including the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe, calling for calm.
One Response