Police say four injured as gunmen attack pro-Fubara rally in Rivers

• State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to handle the case, while police reaffirm commitment to residents’ safety.
• Rivers police commissioner calls for information from the public to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Suspected gunmen allegedly opened fire on a peaceful assembly of youths in Rivers, believed to be supporters of Siminalayi Fubara, the state’s governor.

The attack took place in Elele, Ikwerre LGA, where youths had reportedly gathered at a roundabout to show solidarity with Fubara, intensifying political tensions in the state.

NAN quoted Nwokoro, a witness, as claiming via telephone that a senior local vigilante commander, known as ‘Fucking Naira,’ suddenly emerged and fired gunshots at Fubara’s supporters in Elele town.

Nwokoro claimed that the assailant, a factional leader of a prominent political party and a staunch ally of a well-known politician, vowed to launch more attacks on Fubara’s supporters.

“He shot about 14 people, all of whom sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were taken to Madonna University Hospital in Elele for treatment,” the witness was quoted to have said.

The attack follows a 48-hour deadline given to Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led state assembly to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill before its March 5 expiration.

In response, the Rivers police command stated in a Wednesday release that its operatives had apprehended a suspect linked to the “violent attack” in Elele, Ikwerre LGA.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, reported that four individuals suffered injuries during the incident.

Iringe-Koko stated that the command acted on reliable intelligence regarding the unlawful assembly of suspected hoodlums at the location, and the situation was swiftly contained.

“During an attempt to address the crowd, an unidentified assailant, hiding within the vicinity, opened fire resulting in multiple injuries,” the statement reads.

“As at press time, the number of those injured stood at four (4). The armed hoodlums fled the scene immediately, but one of them was apprehended, and a single-barrel gun was recovered from him.”

The police spokesperson confirmed that the injured victims were immediately transported to various hospitals in Elele to receive urgent medical attention.

Iringe-Koko mentioned that the arrested suspect, along with the recovered firearm, would be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing attackers.

The command reassured residents of its dedication to maintaining security and urged them to remain calm as police intensified efforts to bring all culprits to justice.

Olugbenga Adepoju, Rivers police commissioner, called on residents to remain calm and provide any useful information that could assist in the ongoing investigation into the attack.