Police Teargas Rivers Government House As Staff, SSS Take Cover

SAN FRANCISCO, July 10, (THEWILL) – A detachment of policemen from the Rivers State Police Command Wednesday morning (local time) fired teargas canisters into the Rivers State Government House as embattled state Governor, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi hosted members of the state House of Assembly loyal to him.

Eyewitnesses familiar with the incident told THEWILL that a group of youths believed to be supporters of Amaechi had staged a peaceful protest against the purported impeachment of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Otelemaba Amachree, by 5 assemblymen who make up the about 25-member house.

They had moved to the gate of the Rivers State Government House to express their support for the embattled governor after they had successfully prevented the five minority legislators who claimed to have impeached Amachree from seating.

The protesters, who as early as 8.am had converged at the House of Assembly complex were prevented from crossing a blockade erected by the police. They were however met by a rival group loyal to the minority legislators who are believed to have the backing of the Presidency. Witnesses reported that live rounds of ammunition and canisters of teargas were fired by the police and soldiers present. THEWILL has not been able to independently confirm whether there were fatalities.

But at the gate of the Government House, witnesses reported that there was commotion and chaos as fully armed policemen who had been drafted to the Government House by the controversial State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, started firing teargas into government house without any provocation. The incident forced officials of the SSS and policemen attached to the government to retreat and flee as everyone in government house ran for cover.

THEWILL further gathered from sources close to the Rivers State Government that Amaechi made frantic phone calls as the canisters of teargas were being fired fearing that it was a ploy to disarm his security and assassinate him.

When calm returned to the gate, Amaechi directed that the youths be allowed into the government house and taken to a hall where the deputy governor addressed them. The youths expressed dismay at the 5 legislators and their collaborators from Abuja who they accused of throwing the state into chaos.

The Commissioner of Police later arrived Government House but was prevented from entering the facility by the SSS officials. Mbu had sought audience with Amaechi over the teargas incident.

He ordered that the group be arrested for protesting and violating an existing controversial police order, which outlawed protests in the state. The State’s Attorney General has since declared the order null and void saying it violates a fundamental principle of democracy.