Police confirm attack on rally venue in Okrika

THE Police in Rivers on Saturday confirmed an attack on the National School Field, Okrika, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship rally in Okrika local Government Area of the state.

The Police Commissioner, Mr Dan Bature, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that unidentified assailants on Saturday at about 4.30 a.m. , attacked the venue with an explosive device suspected to be a dynamite.

‘’ Podium and public address system were damaged. No life was lost.

‘’ The area is now under police control while the bomb disposal unit has commenced investigation,’’ he said.

Bature said the police had advised the All Progressives Congress to reschedule its rally billed for Okrika on Saturday, to another date.

He warned political parties to adhere strictly to the Code of Conduct guiding political activities in the state, respect for law and order and eschew violence in all its ramifications.

‘’The Command is determined to enforce law and order, provide adequate security for all political parties and ensure that the full wrath of law is visited on any person or persons who dare and wish to test our capability,’’ he said.

The chairman of All Progressives Congress in Okrika local government, Mr Christian Asifamaka, said some armed youths attacked officials setting up the venue of the rally at National School field, Okrika, on Saturday morning.

‘’ Those setting up the sound system and the podium were forced to flee for their lives.

‘’At about 4 a.m. they started shooting explosives into the arena and destroyed the podium, sound equipment and some canopies,’’ Asifamaka said. (NAN)