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Explosions, gunshots mar APC rally in Okrika

By Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt
17 February 2015   |   9:10 pm
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Okrika, Rivers State, was yesterday marred by explosions and sporadic gunshots.    No fewer than 50 persons were injured, including a journalist, while a policeman was shot and feared dead in the violent attacks, which was allegedly aimed at disrupting the rally.    Though an atmosphere of…

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THE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Okrika, Rivers State, was yesterday marred by explosions and sporadic gunshots.

   No fewer than 50 persons were injured, including a journalist, while a policeman was shot and feared dead in the violent attacks, which was allegedly aimed at disrupting the rally.

   Though an atmosphere of palpable fear had pervaded Okrika in recent times following series of attacks allegedly targeted at the APC, thousands of persons had gathered at the Okrika National School field to attend the party’s governorship rally which had been shifted three times due to security concerns.

   While APC supporters were awaiting the arrival of the party’s governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, three explosives suspected to be dynamites were detonated. The first one went off right beside the stage where people were standing. Soon after, another explosion went off on the roof of the building. The dynamite destroyed the roof. The confusion created forced people to scamper to safety. 

   Shortly afterwards, policemen from the anti-bomb squad were deployed to cordon off the area.

   The explosions occurred while Peterside and members of his Greater Together Campaign Organisation were on a courtesy call to the palace of the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma in Okrika. 

   Due to the heavy presence of officials of the State Security Service (SSS) and Joint Task Force in armoured personnel carriers, Peterside and his team, assumed the town was safe and that they could proceed with the event, hence the decision to move to National School field for the commencement of the rally at about 2.pm.

   Before gunmen later invaded the venue of the event, Peterside had told journalists that the explosion was not enough to discourage the APC from going on with the rally.

   “Nothing would have made me abort this rally except if God had instructed me to do so. We were not expecting that there would have been series of explosives as we heard this morning, but we were very determined because we saw the Okrika spirit of resilience and we could not disappoint them. We were very determined to go on with this rally, in honour of Okrika spirit of resilience, in honour of the determination of Okrika people to chose the kind of government they want, in honour of the resilience spirit of Okrika people to chose a government who will fight insecurity, who will lift their people out of insecurity, who will create jobs for the people,” he said.

   But shortly after solidarity speeches were made by the Greater Together campaign manager, Tanumo Williams, the Director, Communications, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari and Mr. David Alabire and Peterside was about to be called to the rostrum to address the people, sporadic gunshots were heard from different directions. This forced Peterside, his running mate and others to take cover.

   Amid the attack, which lasted for over one hour, a journalist, Mr. Charles Iweka of Channels Television was stabbed. A policeman was also shot, while over 50 persons sustained injuries. The gunmen later set the musical equipment for the rally ablaze. 

   Peterside, who escaped unhurt, alleged that a state lawmaker protected by policemen was seen giving directives to the gunmen who disrupted the rally.

   The Guardian later called the State Police Command spokesperson, Ahmad Muhammad, to inquire about the condition of the policeman who was shot, but there was no response as at press time.

   It would be recalled that in the early hours of January 11, 2015, the Okrika LGA, APC party secretariat and the campaign office of Peterside was attacked. Campaign billboards and posters were destroyed. And on Saturday, January 24, 2015, gunmen, alleged to be members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attacked the venue of proposed APC governorship rally. The assailants destroyed properties and prevented the rally from holding.

   Also on February 9th, after all arrangements had been concluded, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dan Bature informed the APC that it would need to change its dates and hold its rally instead on Thursday, February 12th to enable the police provide adequate security at the rally in Okrika.

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