Officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and voters fled for safety when Nigerian police operatives stormed Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, firing teargas.
About 21 Hilux patrol vans, carrying heavily armed officers, were seen arriving from Elekahia Road.
RSIEC officials, who had just set up for accreditation in Ward 19, which has ten units, were chased out by the operatives.
One officer was overheard commanding an official, “Come here, remove that vest. What are you doing here? Move!” The police, some masked, ordered the officials to take off their vests and hand them over.
The police fired teargas directly into the crowd, causing panic as people scrambled to escape. Another officer fired teargas at bystanders and residents who had come to vote, forcing them to flee.
Many RSIEC officials, voters, and local residents fled into Boms Street, creating confusion and tension in the community. Police patrol vans were seen speeding away from the scene, carrying election materials.
