Just in: Police take over Rivers 23 LGAs

Police said the two people were killed at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.

The police said the takeover of the secretariats was to stop further breakdown of law and order.

The violence was triggered by local council chairmen whose tenure expired on Monday and youth loyal to the state governor.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in Port Harcourt that investigation into the killings has commenced.

Iringe-Koko said: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various Local Government Council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.

“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 Council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.

“Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.

“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.

“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

“We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”