By Davies Iheamnachor

The political unrest in Rivers State has intensified as thugs have set fire to two local government area (LGA) secretariats, following the swearing-in of new council chairmen by Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

Reports indicate that a group of armed hoodlums stormed multiple LGA secretariats, vandalizing property and setting buildings ablaze.

The attacks occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday, with Eleme Local Government Area being one of the first hit, as thugs set parts of the secretariat on fire, vowing to prevent the newly sworn-in chairman from accessing the office.

In Ikwerre LGA, located in Isiokpo, the office of the chairman was also set ablaze by thugs protesting the legitimacy of Saturday’s LGA elections.

In a more violent incident at Emohua LGA, a group of youths attacked the council secretariat just after the newly sworn-in chairman, David Omereji, had inaugurated his deputy, Patient Ebere, along with 14 councillors.

The attackers reportedly detonated explosives, believed to be dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and shattering property within the premises.

These attacks follow the withdrawal of police from LGA premises, after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered security personnel to vacate the council gates.

The escalating violence has raised concerns about political stability in the state.