Security forces in Rivers State successfully prevented an attempt by individuals dressed in police uniforms to steal sensitive election materials ahead of Saturday’s local government elections. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 4, at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt.
According to reports, the assailants tried to break into the RSIEC premises around 1:00 a.m. Their plan was to cart away election materials essential for the smooth conduct of the local government polls scheduled for the following day. However, vigilant security personnel at the site noticed suspicious activity and raised the alarm, alerting relevant authorities.
An eyewitness, who spoke to Punch newspaper, described how the quick response of the security operatives on duty was key to preventing the attack. “The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the development,” the eyewitness stated.
Upon receiving the alert, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, along with a team of government officials, lawmakers, and other political stakeholders, rushed to the RSIEC office to assess the situation. Their swift action helped to restore order and ensure that the electoral materials remained secure.
In a press briefing at the scene of the incident on Aba Road, Governor Fubara condemned the attempt to disrupt the local election process. He praised the security operatives for their dedication and quick response, which played a vital role in protecting the integrity of the election.
Another source from the Government House explained that the governor reiterated the importance of local elections as an internal matter for states. He called on those attempting to interfere with the process to respect the rights of the federation unit.
The source noted, “The governor said local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised those trying to truncate the process and cause anarchy in the state to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”
As of the time of reporting, some government officials, political stakeholders, and supporters had stationed themselves at the RSIEC office to keep watch and ensure that no further attempts were made to compromise the election materials.
