•As sporadic shootings continue
•Army takes over community, council chairman’s mother kidnapped
From: Tony John, Port Harcourt
Supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, clashed in Buguma community, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA) of Rivers State, leading to the death of one person.
At the time of writing this report, the cause of the clash could not be ascertained; but, a source in the community said a person was killed and burnt, thereby heightening tension in the area.
The victim, simply identified as Kpom Kpom, was killed at the new Health Centre area, where the clash occurred.
The source, who did not want to be named, said: “We don’t really know what caused the fight but, what we know is that it was a clash between APC and PDP. There were series of gunshots, so, we had to take cover in our house. One guy popularly known as Kpom Kpom, who I think is an APC member, was killed and burnt. As I speak with you, there is tension in Buguma”
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Super intendent of Police (DSP), has confirmed the incident.
He added that normalcy has returned to the area due to the swift response of security operatives which forestalled further breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, mother of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of ASALGA, Sobomabo Jackrich, has been abducted by armed men.
She was kidnapped on Sunday around Obiri Ikwerre Bridge, Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that her abduction might have led to the clash between the supporters of APC and PDP in Buguma community.
Also, there were sporadic shootings at the wee hours of yesterday, in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government area of the state.
It was gathered that the gunmen struck less than 24 hours after the visit of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Kimo, to the bereaved family of the APC stalwart, Frankline Obi, who was beheaded, his wife and son killed on Saturday night by unknown assailants in Omoku.
A woman, whose identity was unknown, was said to have been kidnapped by the armed men.
In another development, tension was said to have brewed up in Ogu/Bolo Local Government area in the State, following deployment of soldiers to the council on Sunday.
The lawmaker, representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, who confirmed the latest development to newsmen, wondered why soldiers should be deployed in the area.
Bipi, who is the Whip of the House of Assembly, accused the APC as masterminds of military presence in the place, and also alleged that it was a plot by the party to rig the forthcoming re-run elections in the state.