Chaos at APC Support Rally in Rivers, as Activists Try to Attack the DPO

Supporters of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) nearly lynched the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) when the police made an attempt to disrupt their rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on December 9, 2013, Monday.

Tensions started when security operatives made an effort to stop APC’s faithful from entering the Rumokoro Civic Centre, the venue of the rally.

However, the huge crowd at the rally became restive and uncontrollable when the DPO, Special Duties in Rumuokoro, Mr. Allwell Okwuonu, made his way to where some of the APC leaders in Obio/Akpor were seated.

Mr. Okwuonu came when the leader of the party in Obio/Akpor and Chief of Staff, Government Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, was making his remark.

Outraged by Okwuonu’s actions, the crowd surged towards him and shoved him, even as some youths pelted him with several objects, including stones, sand and plastic chairs. The angry APC supporters also shouted “Shame to the police.”

The DPO was immediately moved out of the venue in order to prevent him from being lynched by the restless mob.

However, about four patrol vans entered the scene of rally. Policemen shot several sporadic gunshots into the air, so the APC supporters were repelled.

Some of the supporters, who were scared by the deafening sound of the gunshots, scampered for safety in order not to be hit by stray bullets.

However, it could not be ascertained if any casualty was recorded as of the time of filing this report.

Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, the State Police Public Relations Officer, did not give comments on the incident, because he had yet to receive any brief about it. 

Punch