Explosion, sporadic shooting in Buguma, other towns in Rivers

Explosion, sporadic shooting in Buguma, other towns in Rivers

At least two persons were feared killed in Buguma town, headquarters of Asari Toru local government area of Rivers State when armed youths blew up a public building.

Sources said the building in Kalabari National College was set ablaze because the gunmen, who entered the town on Friday night, thought that sensitive election materials were being kept there.

A source said, “When we got to Buguma, thick smoke was coming out of the town. They said the boys entered the community last night and they went to where they thought election material were being kept and blew it.

It was however gathered that the security operatives have moved into the town and restore sanity at the time of this report.

Reports from Ahoada East and Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGAs also indicated that scores of persons were injured when gunmen invaded polling units and carted away election materials.

In Usokun community in Degema LGA, pandemonium broke out when a gang of armed youths hijacked election materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in presence of security operatives.

“There was sporadic shooting as a group of boys came to take away ballot boxes, materials, INEC materials and security operatives,” a voters at the scene said.

In Egi, Omoku area of ONELGA, our reporter was told that gunmen made away with materials meant for Ward 9, while people were waiting to be accredited. Election materials were also reportedly hijacked at Obogoro, Ward 5.

Meanwhile, in Abonnema community of Akuku-Toru LGA, it was gathered that the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Fenibo Jack and other members of the All Progressive Congress have gone into hiding after gunmen, reportedly led by a former warlord in the area invaded the town in search of APC supporters.