Rivers LG Election: Panic As Police Allegedly Attack RSIEC Officials, Disperse Voters With Teargas

Rivers LG Election: Panic As Police Allegedly Attack RSIEC Officials, Disperse Voters With Teargas Written By Oshiobugie John– Tensions escalated in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City, as officials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and voters fled in panic following a violent intervention by Nigerian Police operatives. According to witnesses, the officers stormed Elekahia Primary School—where local government elections were underway—firing teargas and seizing election materials.

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Eyewitnesses reported seeing about 21 Hilux patrol vans, filled with heavily armed policemen, approach the polling venue from Elekahia Road. Upon arrival, the officers immediately deployed several rounds of teargas, causing pandemonium and scattering ballot papers across the school grounds and nearby streets.

RSIEC officials, who had just set up to begin voter accreditation in Ward 19, were forced to abandon their posts as the police aggressively dispersed them. One officer reportedly harassed a commission worker, demanding, “Remove that vest. What are you doing here? Move!”

The masked officers confiscated election materials and forced the officials to hand over their vests. As tensions rose, the operatives shot additional rounds of teargas into the crowd, targeting both voters and bystanders.

Residents and voters, who had gathered to exercise their civic duty, ran for cover, fleeing into nearby streets in a state of confusion. Some bystanders at the entrance of Ive Street were also reportedly targeted, further escalating the chaos. Multiple police patrol vans were seen speeding away from the scene with the confiscated election materials.

The incident left the community in disarray, with RSIEC officials and local residents scattering in fear as police continued to deploy teargas.

When reached for comment, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated she was unaware of the event, responding, “I’m not aware. You are just telling me now.”