A baby reportedly became unconscious after being tear-gassed on Wednesday during a clash between supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and loyalists of former governor Nyesom Wike in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The incident occurred during a government medical outreach in the Eliozu community. According to eyewitnesses, the conflict began when officials from the state Ministry of Health were conducting a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre. Supporters allegedly loyal to the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived to inquire about the gathering. The venue is near Amaewhule’s residence, who leads 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.
Supporters of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Chijioke Ihunwo, who are loyal to Fubara, allegedly prevented Amaewhule’s supporters from accessing the venue, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash. Stones were thrown, and the medical outreach was abruptly disrupted.
Anti-riot police arrived shortly after and fired tear gas to disperse the groups and control the situation. During the chaos, a child was tear-gassed and lost consciousness.
The medical outreach was subsequently relocated to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt.
Reacting to the incident, Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of leading the disruption with police support. Ihunwo stated, “This morning at the Eliozu Health Centre, former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health. Policemen arrived and began beating our women and shooting tear gas at pregnant women.”
He called on President Bola Tinubu to address the issue, saying, “Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We urge the President to rein in the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT to ensure peace in Rivers State.”
The state police command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community on July 24, 2024, about a fight between supporters of two political factions. Police operatives were deployed to restore order, using anti-riot tactics to disperse the crowds. An investigation is ongoing.”
(Punch)