Rivers rerun may turn bloody as armed soldiers invade INEC offices.

Reports reaching our newsroom say that there has been an armed invasion of Ikwere Local Government Area by Nigerian soldiers acting on the orders of the immediate past governor of the state Mr Rotimi Amaechi. The armed soldier reportedly gave the INEC officials marching orders, an order which was resisted by the police.

The band of armed soldiers was led by one Captain Amakuru of the Nigerian Army and being held hostage is Honourable Samuel Nwanosike, the caretaker Chairman of Ikwere Local Government Area.

The yielding policemen defiantly reminded the armed soldiers that they will not be cowed into silence and watch security of INEC materials carted away with adding that they are not under the command of the military and, therefore, will not be dictated to by them thus raising tensions.

Reports from other quarters in the state have it that people have fled the state in droves resulting from the heaving military presence while those who remained have decided to boycott polls by staying at home.

As early as 4:00 am this morning people were still trying to find their way out of the state and soldiers were seen questioning motorists at mounted barricades. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources Ibibia Walter and Elyon Elijah a chieftain of the All Progressives’ Congress in the state have been kidnapped.

A court injunction secured to bar soldiers from today’s re-run polls in the state did not yield any dividend. The re-run elections are to fill 2 senatorial seats, 12 seats on the house of representatives, and 22 seats in the Rivers House of Assembly. Elections are taking place in 23 local government areas, 319 wards, and 4,442 polling units.