Police have refuted claims that a twin explosion rocked the All Progressives Congress’ political rally in Rivers State.
The state’s police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt, claimed there was no explosion at the rally’s location and that everything went according to plan.
Iringe-Koko clarified that a brawl had broken out near the rally’s location involving locals who owned the playground the APC had rented for the campaign.
“the internal crisis within the community over which faction should control the community playing ground/town hall revealed its ugly head. It was alleged that the CDC Chairman collected the sum of two hundred-thousand-naira (N200,000.00) from APC as payment for renting the playground/town hall. Incidentally, he shared the money to only the Chiefs and members of his faction,” the statement read.
“The other faction that didn’t benefit from the sharing insisted that the hall would not be used, except and until they were giving their share of the money. Consequently, a fracas ensued. Two persons were reportedly injured. The fracas was not between members of APC and any other political party but between the internal factions within the said community,” it added.
Iringe-Koko further clarified that the DC Operations, Area Commander Port Harcourt, the O/C SIB and DPO Mile one Diobu, were on ground to intervene and restore peace and security at the venue. He clarified that the fracas did not affect the APC rally, which ended peacefully.
“There was no explosion before or during the rally. However, the Commissioner of Police has directed the DC State CID and O/C Bomb Disposal Unit to investigate and confirm the veracity of the rumour currently making the rounds on social media. It should be noted that Rumuwoji community is factionalized into two; not divided on political party lines, rather factionalized as a result of Chieftaincy tussle.”
PEACEFUL POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN RIVERS STATE
Today, 19th of January 2023, the All-Progressive Congress (APC) had an open rally at Rumuwoji community town hall/playing ground in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State. Before the commencement of the rally,
— Rivers State Police Command (@RiversPoliceNG) January 19, 2023
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