A fire has engulfed the newly constructed council secretariat in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area. A resident confirmed the incident to Waffi TV on Monday, with videos circulating on social media showing the building in flames.
Authorities are yet to comment, and the extent of the damage remains unknown. The fire follows the recent withdrawal of police officers guarding all 23 council secretariats, ordered by the commissioner of police. Earlier, parts of the Eleme council secretariat were also set ablaze.
Former ambassador Oji Ngofa, who hails from Eleme, stated that newly elected council chairman Brian Gokpa discovered the fire after arriving at the secretariat with his councilors and supporters. Despite the damage, they are determined to take control of the building.
In a related development, unknown individuals have blocked the entrance to the Emohua council secretariat, preventing the new chairman, David Omereju, from resuming office. A video circulating on social media shows them chanting, “No Wike, No Rivers State!”
No arrests have been made, and police have yet to issue a statement. Tensions are rising, with concerns of possible violence in several councils following the swearing-in of new local government chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday.
The recent election in Rivers State was marked by protests, explosions, and gunfire, adding to the drama leading up to the swearing-in.
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