There was pandemonium in Isiokpo, headquarters of the Ikwerre Native Authorities Space on Monday, as policemen dispersed employees with gunshots and teargas canisters.
The policemen have been noticed in a number of patrol vans as they stormed the secretariat in a commando type, taking pictures sporadically to disperse employees who scampered for security.
The incident prevented employees of the council from resuming work after such a directive was handed down from the Nationwide Union of Native Authorities Workers.
The Ikwerre Native Authorities Space was the worst affected in the course of the assault on some councils within the state by suspected political thugs after the native authorities elections.
Since then the council and two others had been beneath lock and key to forestall a repeat of the arson and violence that greeted the reopening of the council headquarters by the police.
An eyewitness instructed our reporter that scores of employees, together with two ladies, have been injured whereas making an attempt to flee from the scene of the taking pictures, including that many fled into close by bushes for security.
The supply who craved anonymity for worry of his life, mentioned, “This morning, the Nationwide Union of Native Authorities Staff requested their members to renew work on the Ikwerre Native Authorities.
“Whereas we have been there, we noticed greater than 100 policemen absolutely armed. They usually began taking pictures and firing teargas all over the place, employees, ladies and everyone began operating.
“As I communicate now, two ladies slumped and the policemen at the moment are permitting entry to medical care.”
The Chief of Employees of Ikwerre LGA, Richard Henry, confirmed the incident, saying there could also be some casualties as a result of lots of the employees bumped into the bushes.
Henry acknowledged, “They got here to the premises and shot teargas all over the place and other people have been operating helter-skelter.
“Our moms and youths who have been there are injured. We don’t know if there was any loss of life as a result of many individuals bumped into the bush. The policemen got here with a scorching water tank and about 11 Hilux vans.”
Whereas condemning the motion of the policemen, he mentioned the assault was unwarranted, because the matter of the burning of the councils was earlier than the Rivers State Judicial Fee of Inquiry.
“All of them have been armed. Furthermore, this matter is earlier than the Rivers State Judicial Fee of Inquiry and so they got here to teargas everyone which isn’t truthful. We are going to resist them,” he mentioned.
The police took duty for its presence on the Ikwerre council secretariat.
Spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a chat with our correspondent, mentioned the Ikwerre LG secretariat was closed following the arson as a result of it was one of many worst hit.
She acknowledged, “It isn’t males in police uniform. They’re cops within the command who went there to take care of legislation and order.
“You recognize due to the native authorities that was burnt, a panel of inquiry was arrange by the governor to look into the quick and distant causes of the secretariats that have been burnt and the sitting is ongoing.
“All of the secretariats that have been attacked are beneath lock and key, and this Ikwerre LGA is one with main injury.
“Now some mobs, over 300, broken the gate and compelled themselves into the secretariat, both to loot or additional destroy properties. That was the explanation the police have been known as upon.
“And in response, our males swiftly mobilised and went there to make sure that there was no breakdown of legislation and order and restore peace by dispersing them, in order that they don’t destroy any facility.”