A violent clash erupted on Wednesday in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, between supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
The incident occurred during a government medical outreach program in the Eliozu community, where a baby was reportedly tear-gassed and became unconscious.
The program, aimed at providing medical services to women, was disrupted when supporters of Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly and leader of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, arrived at the venue.
They were allegedly stopped by supporters of Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA and a loyalist of Fubara, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash.
The venue is located near Amaewhule’s residence, which may have contributed to the tensions.
Following the fisticuffs, stones were pelted from several directions, as the medical outreach was disrupted abruptly.
A few minutes later, a team of anti-riot policemen arrived at the scene, firing teargas to disperse the opposing groups and quell the situation from getting out of hand.
It was gathered that a child was tear-gassed during the mayhem and became unconscious.
The situation led to the relocation of the medical outreach to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt where the programme was launched.
Reacting to the incident, the Obio/Akpor CTC Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, accused Amaewhule, of leading policemen to disrupt the outreach.
Ihunwo stated, “This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.
“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.
“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.
“We are calling on you to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear governor alone.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
Iringe-Koko, in a short message to our correspondent, said the police responded to a distress call over the scenario, adding that the investigation was ongoing.
She stated, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.
“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order.
“The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”
