Tina Amanda
As the commission of inquiry set up to investigate the remote cause of violence, killings and other related Acts and matters which occurred during the February 23rd and March 9th election in Rivers State continues its sitting with 7 witnesses testifying; the Chairman Oyigbo local government, Prince Gerald Oforji, told the commission that on the 8th of March, military officers invaded his apartment, made away with his bag containing his valuables, cash and destroyed his younger brother’s car that was parked in the compound.
Also testifying, INEC Collation Officer for Oyigbo LGA, Dr Felix Nte, stated that his duty post at the INEC Oyigbo office on 9th March was highly militarised, as the soldiers on guard did not let him move out till 10:pm the following day.
An INEC Adhoc staff, Ledogo Raymond, deployed to work as RAC technician in INEC office Bori, in Khana local government area for the 9th March governorship election, told the commission that on the 10th of March while at the RAC centre to continue his duties, a senior police officer identified as Akin Fakorede arrived the place in a tinted Hilux vehicle accompanied by F-SARs personnel, Bariledum Gregory Nwidam and Eric Nwibani.
He noted that on the arrival of the F-SARS officers, they tried to arrest some PDP agents at the Bori INEC office which was resisted.
He added that some minutes later, the officers ordered everyone out of the INEC building, and began to shoot sporadically which led to the death of Ferry Gberegbere who was shot in the stomach, himself shot on the buttocks while several others sustained bullet wounds.
On his part, People’s Democratic Party Collation Agent for Khana local government, Tambari Sydney Bara, said he was subjected to humiliation by F-SARS officers at the INEC RAC centre in Bori while discharging his duties.
