Bayelsa Govt demands probe into shootings at pro-Wike rally

The Bayelsa State Government has urged the police to probe the shooting at a political rally organised in the state on Saturday by the NEW Associates, a group allegedly loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The rally was organized to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of […]

The Bayelsa State Government has urged the police to probe the shooting at a political rally organised in the state on Saturday by the NEW Associates, a group allegedly loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The rally was organized to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the state into his government.

Daily Trust learnt that some gunmen had shot sporadically to disrupt the rally, with several persons injured while scampering to safety.

The state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Obiuwou Koku-Obiyai, on Sunday, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the police authorities in the state to unravel those behind the incident at the rally ground.

The state government also threatened to sanction any religious organisation that breach the law.

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The government expressed concern that the shooting was not a coincidence as the organisers had earlier threatened that “the good, the bad and the ugly” would attend the event.

It wondered why a gathering that was expected to be peaceful turned violent with some persons reportedly injured.

The statement urged the police to immediately commence investigation in order to bring anyone found culpable to book.

It read: “The event negated guidelines for political activities as stipulated in the Electoral Act and by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the rally was held on the camp ground of a religious organisation.

“We warned political groups in the state not to drag religious organisations into their partisan activities that desecrate sacred places of worship, governor would not hesitate to sanction any religious organisation that breach the law.

“The government restated its commitment to sustaining the peace in the state as well as ensuring the security of lives and property of all residents.”