The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the bombing and shooting incidents on Tuesday at the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Okrika, Rivers State.
One policeman was killed, while three others were injured
The shooting was preceded by the detonation of three Improvised Explosive Devices close to the rally ground.
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is from Okrika.
The Rivers State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, and the governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, have fingered Dame Jonathan in the attacks.
Amaechi and Peterside also accused a former Minister of State for Education and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election, Nyesom Wike, and a member
of the state House of Assembly, Evan Dipi, of collaborating with the First Lady to cary out the attack.
of the state House of Assembly, Evan Dipi, of collaborating with the First Lady to cary out the attack.Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja, Abba directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone 6, Calabar, Johnson Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and promptly bring to book all the perpetrators, conspirators and sponsors.
He further directed a judicious prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with violence across the country.
The IGP also noted with grave concern that despite serious warnings, advices and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts have continued.
Abba restated the resolve and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force and in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate, to continue to provide an impartial level playing ground for all political parties to sell their manifestoes and woo the electorate.
A statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, acting Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ojukwu, said: “The IGP deeply regretted the loss of lives of Policemen in the course of providing safety in the electoral process. His heart went out to the families of the slain colleagues as he wished the injured officers speedy recovery and return to national duty.”
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