Security operatives in Rivers State, on Friday, repelled an attempt by men dressed in police uniform to take over the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
According to reports, the incident apparently happened about 1 a.m. on Friday (today).
It was reported that the miscreants attempted to break through the commission’s gates and strong room in order to steal critical electoral papers intended for the state’s local government election on Saturday.
According to a source who witnessed the incident but was not authorised to speak on the matter, “The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the development.”
According to the source, the governor led a delegation of government officials, parliamentarians from the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, senior political figures, and other leaders to the scene.
Speaking to reporters in front of the RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara denounced the act and praised the security personnel for their attentiveness.
Another Government House source said, “The governor said local government elections were the internal affairs of states and advised those trying to truncate the process and cause anarchy in the state to allow the federation unit to conduct its affairs without interference.”
Meanwhile, our correspondent learnt that certain government officials, stakeholders, and supporters are currently guarding the site.
Attempts to call the state police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, were unsuccessful since her phone did not connect.
She had yet to respond to a text message sent to our reporter when we filed this article on Friday morning.
