A dynamite explosion reportedly rocked Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday morning, unleashing chaos outside Hotel Presidential.
The blast reportedly claimed the life of a middle-aged protester, who was demonstrating in support of former Governor Nyesom Wike, sparking pandemonium in the area.
The protest was spearheaded by prominent supporters of former governor Wike, including Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Martin Amaewhule, the embattled Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and George Ariolu, the embattled Chairman of Obio-Akpor Council, when the explosion suddenly occurred, throwing the gathering into chaos.
It was gathered that the demonstrators were demanding that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Igbetokun, maintain the police presence at council secretariats in the state and resist any intimidation. The explosion sparked panic and disrupted the protest, leaving one person dead.
An eyewitness reported that after the explosion, which killed a young man whose identity has not been released, security personnel quickly swarmed the area and hastily removed the body.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the chaos, saying, The protesters marched slowly along Aba Road, causing a massive traffic jam.
In response to the incident, the Rivers State Government has issued a directive to all public and private medical facilities to be vigilant and watch for individuals seeking treatment for traumatic upper body injuries, potentially related to the explosion.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, strongly condemned the violent act and urged the public to report anyone with severe upper body injuries to the authorities, including the police and the Ministry of Health, to ensure prompt action.
She however urged residents and visitors of the state to go about their lawful businesses, as the government is handling the situation.
She said, “The Rivers State Government has just received information about a failed attempt to detonate an explosive at the Hotel Presidential axis of Port Harcourt by mischievous and unscrupulous individuals.
“While condemning such malicious and failed attempt to disturb the peace in the state, the Rivers State Ministry of Health hereby, call on all public and privately owned medical facilities to be on the alert and look out for a young man with a traumatically dismembered upper body as this injury was sustained in the process of attempting to detonate the device.
“Such an individual and his accomplices if presented at any of the facilities should be immediately detained and reported to the Commissioner of Police Rivers State and the Rivers State Ministry of Health.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, while reacting said she would get details and get back but was yet to do so as of press time.
She said: “Please let me find out the full details surrounding the alleged incident and get back to you.”
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