A triple bomb blast went off today at the All Progressives Congress rally in Okirika,Rivers state, home
to Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan.
It was gathered that the triple bomb blasts occurred a few minutes after the leadership and party faithful assembled at the Okirika National Secondary School field in the early hours of the day.
Two hours after the initial disruption, the organizers rallied party faithful and supporters back to the venue of the rally and the programme was kicked off again.
Just as the speakers mounted the platform to address the rally, sporadic gunshots rented the air and the party members again took to their heels.
The party’s gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Peterside, was fielding questions from a Channels Television reporter when the gunshots went off.
Both Mr. Peterside and the reporter took to their heels as armed mobile policemen fired back and tried to calm down frightened citizens.
The Channels Television cameras were left rolling while the cameramen scampered to safety in the nearby buildings.
This is was what Channels television reporter, Charles Eruka (who was taking cover somewhere in the school field while giving updates) said:
“We were at the National Secondary School when we heard series of explosions but when the crowd had the confidence to return because security agents had taken control of the situation,” Mr. Eruka said.
“But when the gunshots started, of course everybody took their heels. But we are still here trying to find out what is going on. We can’t see the shooters apart from armed security personnel. But we can hear gunfire in the background behind the buildings here.
“The security agents are trying to make sure that people are whisked to safety. Some of the things that were left behind at the VIP areas are also being carried away to safety. The security agents have secured those in the VIP stand while most of us are lying on the floor.”.
It was gathered that the triple bomb blasts occurred a few minutes after the leadership and party faithful assembled at the Okirika National Secondary School field in the early hours of the day.
Two hours after the initial disruption, the organizers rallied party faithful and supporters back to the venue of the rally and the programme was kicked off again.
Just as the speakers mounted the platform to address the rally, sporadic gunshots rented the air and the party members again took to their heels.
The party’s gubernatorial candidate, Dakuku Peterside, was fielding questions from a Channels Television reporter when the gunshots went off.
Both Mr. Peterside and the reporter took to their heels as armed mobile policemen fired back and tried to calm down frightened citizens.
The Channels Television cameras were left rolling while the cameramen scampered to safety in the nearby buildings.
This is was what Channels television reporter, Charles Eruka (who was taking cover somewhere in the school field while giving updates) said:
“We were at the National Secondary School when we heard series of explosions but when the crowd had the confidence to return because security agents had taken control of the situation,” Mr. Eruka said.
“But when the gunshots started, of course everybody took their heels. But we are still here trying to find out what is going on. We can’t see the shooters apart from armed security personnel. But we can hear gunfire in the background behind the buildings here.
“The security agents are trying to make sure that people are whisked to safety. Some of the things that were left behind at the VIP areas are also being carried away to safety. The security agents have secured those in the VIP stand while most of us are lying on the floor.”.
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