Explosions, Gunfire and Mayhem rock Rivers APC rally

Thousands of All Progressives Congress supporters scampered to safety on Tuesday when explosions and gunshots boomed at the Okrika National Secondary School Field in Rivers State.

APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, who was to address the crowd as part of his electioneering, had to be whisked away from the scene by security operatives and his body guards.

About 50 of the APC supporters, four policemen and a Channels Tv correspondent, Charles Eruka, were   injured in the attack believed to have been unleashed by unknown political thugs.

Another policeman was however not as lucky as he was shot and killed. His body was deposited at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital in Port Harcourt.

Eruka, who was stabbed was   rushed to a nearby hospital where he was as of 7pm receiving treatment.

The thugs, according to eyewitnesses, first set off three Improvised Explosive Devices within the campaign arena, thereby causing a   stampede at field.

One of them said, “They   were determined to ensure that we did not hold the rally. When the explosions happened, Dr. Peterside had not arrived. But when he came,   they started firing gunshots for about 45 minutes. Many of us had to lie flat on the ground to avoid being hit by   bullets.

“But the security agents at the field and some private body guards were able to whisk away our candidate (Peterside) to a safe place.”

Peterside, who later emerged from his hideout, said his supporters would not be intimidated by the incident.

He said, “We were not expecting that there would have been a series of explosions as we heard this (Tuesday) morning. But we were very determined and it shows the Okrika spirit of resilience.

“We were very determined to hold the rally   in honour of the Okrika spirit of resilience. We were determined to hold the rally in honour of the determination of Okrika people to choose a government that will fight insecurity; rescue people from   poverty and create jobs for the youths.”

He later spoke with journalists in Port Harcourt where he described Tuesday as one of his saddest days as a politician.

He claimed that some people had seen a lawmaker   in the state     leading a group of   50 youths and directing the shooting   in Okrika.

The APC candidate said, “Several eyewitnesses saw a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, accompanied by men in police uniform and several other non-uniformed armed men numbering in excess of 50   around the venue. He was seen personally directing the shooting.

“Today is one of my saddest days as a politician. The day had started on a pleasant note when as part of my campaign rally in Okrika, I visited the Okrika Grammar School, my Alma Mater, where I met with the principal and interacted with the students.