Eight injured as PDP, APC supporters clash in Rivers

Forum 9 years ago

Eight injured as PDP, APC supporters clash in Rivers

At least eight persons were shot and injured when supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress clashed in Rumueprikom community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Traders were forced to close shop in the area; the hometown of the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, as the deafening sound of gunshots scared many away.It was gathered that trouble started when the deposed paramount ruler of Oboi/Akpor Urebisi, Chief Anthony Uwabie, shot at a group of men at Wimpey Junction.

The bullet, according to an eyewitness, hit his son, Clement Uwabie, a strong member of the PDP.Uwabie’s son explained to newsmen in the hospital where he and other injured persons were receiving treatment that his father shot him because he refused to join the APC.Some youths were said to have converged on Rumueprikom on Wednesday in anticipation of the visit of the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who had been on local government tour.Eyewitnesses said the youths were beating drums when they heard the sound of gunshots.

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Angered by the development, the youths made moves to storm Chief Uwabie’s residence, but were stopped by the police.Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, who confirmed the incident, said Uwabie shot his son and six people.Ogunsakin disclosed that Chief Uwabie had been arrested by the police while the gun used in shooting his victims had been recovered.“Chief Anthony Uwabie of Rumupirikom was arrested after he shot six people and his son.

He was arrested along with four others whose identities are yet to be confirmed.“The chief has volunteered useful information to the police and we have successfully recovered a single-barreled gun with expended cartridges, pellets and live ammunition from the aforementioned chief,” he said.Ogunsakin added that the matter had been transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation.

He, however, warned politicians to shun campaigns and political meetings aimed at wrecking havoc on the people of the state.“The Rivers State Police Command is using this medium to sound a note of warning to various groups, public office holders and corporate organizations to desist from carrying out activities that will disrupt the peace and tranquility enjoyed in the state,” Ogunsakin stressed.