A medical outreach in Rivers State turned violent on Wednesday when supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara clashed with loyalists of former governor Nyesom Wike, resulting in a child being tear-gassed and rendered unconscious.
The incident occurred in the Eliozu community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, during a government-sponsored health initiative for women.
Witnesses reported that the conflict began shortly after the outreach commenced at the Eliozu Health Centre.
Allegedly, supporters of Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, approached the event, questioning the reason for the gathering. The health centre’s proximity to Amaewhule’s residence, a key figure among Wike’s 27 loyal lawmakers, added to the tensions.
Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA and a Fubara supporter, reportedly instructed his followers to prevent Amaewhule’s faction from accessing the venue. This confrontation quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with both sides hurling stones and disrupting the medical outreach.
Anti-riot police were deployed to the scene to restore order. They used tear gas to disperse the clashing groups, inadvertently affecting a baby who was present and causing the child to lose consciousness. The outreach was subsequently relocated to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt to continue providing services to the community.
In a statement, Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of leading security forces to disrupt the outreach.
“This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health. A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.”
Ihunwo called on President Bola Tinubu to address the actions of the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing them of tarnishing the government’s image. He urged the FCT Minister to focus on his duties in Abuja and to leave Governor Fubara alone.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the incident, stating, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight. The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order. The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”
