Heavy shooting at Rivers Govt House as Wike’s men allegedly attempt coup against Gov Fubara?; No, it’s not true – Police
By OUR REPORTER, Port Harcourt
“We can confirm that there was no such incident, and this narrative is a deliberate fabrication aimed at inciting fear, confusion, and unrest within Rivers State.” – Police
Eight Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed in a gun battle between military personnel allegedly sponsored by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the Niger Delta resistant groups, who had stationed to protect the Government House from Wike’s invaders.
In response to the escalating violence, Governor Siminalayi Fubara had imposed a curfew across Rivers State and ordered all military and police personnel to return to their barracks, leaving only militant groups to guard the state, the report said, adding that the governor had expressed that he had lost faith in the military, citing his own safety as a concern.
Reports indicate that Sim Fubara had to be taken to a militant base known as “Creekside,” where he was being kept safe from alleged Wike’s sponsored military forces.
The militants had declared that any military personnel seen patrolling the streets of Rivers State will be shot on sight until Sim Fubara issues further orders.
Additionally, Wike’s residence had been reportedly set on fire amid the chaos.
In the meantime, the Rivers State Police Command had dismissed the reports in circulation over the alleged violence in the Government House, Port Harcourt, involving an altercation between military personnel loyal to Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Additionally, the police confirmed that it is untrue that Fubara ordered a curfew or called for any form of security takeover by militant groups within the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Mohammed, made it clear in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday November 3.
The statement, signed by the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko and circulated to the media, made the clarification following some online and social media reports: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://africachinapresscentre.org/2024/11/03/heavy-shooting-deaths-reported-as-armed-men-attempt-to-seize-power-in-rivers/&ved=2ahUKEwjC3MqWlMaJAxX3WEEAHeiaK1gQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2E0u33xy6SVkGtpB2JHkxC alleging casualties resulting from confrontations involving military personnel in the state.
However, Mohammed labelled the reports as untrue, unfounded, and a fabrication aimed at inciting fear and unrest in the oil and gas-rich state.
According to the statement titled, “Re: Reports of Violence at Rivers State Government House Untrue, a Figment of the Author’s Imagination,” the police warned against such misinformation, given the potential dangers.
The police report read, “The Rivers State Police Command unequivocally refutes the unsubstantiated report currently circulating, alleging a violent altercation at the Rivers State Government House involving supposed military forces allegedly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike and current Governor Sim Fubara.
“We can confirm that there was no such incident, and this narrative is a deliberate fabrication aimed at inciting fear, confusion, and unrest within Rivers State.”
