Two security operatives die as Rivers LGs' crisis continues

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The ongoing crisis over extension of the tenure of the local government chairmen in Rivers State may have claimed its casualties as two security operatives have lost their lives in clashes.

The security operative’s death, which occurred at Omuma Local Government Area on Tuesday, is not unclear whether it is connected with the invasion of the council headquarters at Eberi-Omuma.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the deaths, said a policeman and a vigilante operative lost their lives in the crisis.

She also said investigations were omgoing on details of their deaths.
The ongoing crisis over extension of the tenure of the local government chairmen in Rivers State may have claimed its casualties as two security operatives have lost their lives in clashes.

The security operative’s death, which occurred at Omuma Local Government Area on Tuesday, is not unclear whether it is connected with the invasion of the council headquarters at Eberi-Omuma.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the deaths, said a policeman and a vigilante operative lost their lives in the crisis.

She also said investigations were omgoing on details of their deaths.

Earler, report stated that the controversy over the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen has erupted in gun shooting from policemen stationed at the headquarters of the secretariats to keep the peace.

However, crowds of protesting youths were seen near the council secretariats, ostensibly to prevent the council chairmen from entering the secretariats in line with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s announcement that their tenure had expired on June 17, 2024.

Indeed, the youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs occupied their council secretariats with viral videos on social media showing the protesting youths chanting solidarity songs in support of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who insisted that tenure of the council chairmen had expired.

The affected LG chairmen are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, whose tenure had been extended by six months via an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 by the 27 factional lawmakers of the state House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule as Speaker.

This extension was, however, nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, which declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 as inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

Despite the court’s ruling, the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, has vowed to remain in office.

Two LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, who are loyal to Fubara, celebrated the expiration of their tenures with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.