A deadly violence broke out at the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eastern Zone election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Saturday, leaving four people dead and a bus burned.
The election which took place at the Abuloma Model Primary School turned to violence when over 100 armed men stormed the venue, shooting sporadically and pulling down canopies.
The armed men who were allegedly acting on the orders of a warlord, caused chaos and panic in the Abuloma community and its environs.
The shooting lasted for over four hours, forcing residents and business owners to scramble for safety.
The Rivers State Police Command dispatched tactical teams to the venue following a distress call from the scene of the event. However, the perpetrators had fled before the police arrived.
The Commissioner of Police has vowed to track down the culprits and bring them to justice.
Despite the return of normalcy, tension remains high among residents, who fear a reprisal attack by the opposing group.
The police have urged law-abiding citizens to go about their businesses and report any suspicious movements.
The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the state and the need for measures to prevent such violence in the future.
Credit: New Telegraph