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Voters and officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) fled for their lives as tear gas was fired by Nigerian Police personnel at Elekahia Primary School in the Port Harcourt City local government area.
Afripost.ng gathered that about 21 Hilux police vehicles carrying highly armed officers were seen driving into the polling unit from Elekahia Road.
RSIEC personnel who had set up their stand to begin accreditation in Ward 19 with 10 units fled for safety as the operatives pursued them out of the Ward.
One of the policemen was heard saying, ‘” Come here, remove that vest. What are you doing here? Common move!”
The police officers, some of whom were masked, also requested that the officials remove their vests and hand them over.
The officers went ahead to discharge tear gas canisters directly into the gathering of civilians fleeing for their lives.
Many RSIEC officials, voters, and residents of the neighbourhood entered Boms Street in Elekahia in a confusing way, causing tension in the region, while numerous police patrol vans drove out of the area with many election materials.
When reached, Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the State Police Command, stated that she was unaware of the situation.
She said, “I’m not aware. You are just telling me now.”