The Nigeria Police Force says, contrary to news making the rounds, there was no explosion at a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Rumuwoji Community town hall and playground.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the State, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), on Thursday, January 19, 2023 in Port Harcourt, the Police disclaimed news about the explosion, saying it was fracas that resulted from disagreements among the leadership of the community.

“There was no explosion before or during the rally.”

Iringe-Koko said that the said fracas was over the sharing of money paid the APC for using the town hall and playground for its rally among the executive members of the Rumuwoji CDC, stressing that there was no incident between the APC and any other political party.

“The fracas was not between members of APC and any other political party but between the internal factions within the said community.”

“The DC Operations, Area Commander Port Harcourt, the O/C SIB and DPO Mile One Diobu, were on ground to intervene and restore peace and security at the venue. Thus, the fracas did not affect the APC rally, which ended peacefully.”

“Today, 19th of January 2023, the All-Progressive Congress (APC) had an open rally at Rumuwoji community town hall/playing ground in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

“Before the commencement of the rally, the internal crisis within the community over which faction should control the community playing ground/town hall reared its ugly head.”

“It was alleged that the CDC Chairman collected the sum of two hundred-thousand-naira (N200,000.00) from APC as payment for renting the playground/town hall. Incidentally, he shared the money to only the Chiefs and members of his faction.”

“The other faction that didn’t benefit from the sharing insisted that the hall would not be used, except and until they were giving their share of the money. Consequently, a fracas ensued. Two persons were reportedly injured.”

She informed that the Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong has directed the Deputy Commissioner, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) and the Officer-in-Charge of the Bomb Disposal Unit to investigate and confirm the veracity of the rumour currently making the rounds on social media.

“It should be noted that Rumuwoji community is factionalized into two; not divided on political party lines, rather factionalized as a result of chieftaincy tussle. The fracas was defined in these lines.”

“Meanwhile, members of the public are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and maintain peace. The Command reiterates that it is committed to protecting life and property of all residents in Rivers State.”