Rivers LG Election: Police Confirm Explosions In Port Harcourt, Launch Investigation

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed two explosions in Port Harcourt, which occurred during the early hours of Saturday amid the local government elections.

Naija News had earlier reported that explosion rocked the secretariat of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress led by Tony Okocha.

A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed that the police have commenced investigations into the incidents, which targeted the Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat and the council headquarters of Obio/Akpor.

The statement partly read, “The first explosion was reported at the APC Secretariat on Aba Road at approximately 3:00 AM. A security guard reported hearing a loud bang and, upon investigation, observed three black Toyota Hilux vans speeding away from the scene.

“The explosion caused significant damage, destroying the gate and shattering the windows of the building. Additionally, the security building was set ablaze.

“The second explosion occurred at the Obio/Akpor Council secretariat around 3:30 AM. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a black Toyota Hilux van and a white Toyota Sienna minivan drive past the secretariat.

“The occupants of these vehicles allegedly threw an object, suspected to be a stick of dynamite, which shattered the roof and caused damage to the generator house of the complex.”

Following these incidents, the Command dispatched the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and Anti-Bomb Squad to both locations.

An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered from the APC secretariat, and the presence of incendiary materials was detected in the arson of the security post.

The statement further added that the Command’s Explosive Ordinance Department have collected samples from both scenes and are actively investigating the explosions.