Nigeria Decides 2023: Pregnant woman, one other killed in Rivers

A pregnant woman identified as Ruth Osah, and a member of a local security outfit, Mark Orduize, were allegedly killed at a polling unit in the Ubimini community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Orduize was said to be a member of the Emohua Local Vigilante Service codenamed EMOLVIS.

The incident was said to have occurred in Ward 12 in Emuoha LGA, where houses were also burnt.

 The incident caused pandemonium in the area and temporarily halted the elections.

Speaking to journalists, the President, Ubimini Youth Council, Ikechukwu Wordu, condemned the incident, saying the community had been peaceful before the polls.

“The situation in my community today (Saturday) during the presidential election was sad,” Wordu said.

He claimed that trouble started when a boy, who was armed with a gun, started chasing people around.

Wordu stated, “The boy wanted to recruit some other boys. Then, he brought out a pump action (gun) and started chasing people around. The security outfit in the community went to look for him today.

“It was unfortunate that as a result of an accidental discharge by the security outfit, a pregnant woman, Ruth Osah, was killed.”

Angered by the incident, he said some youths descended on the vigilante.

 “Some youths moved in, chased and killed the EMOLVIS vigilante. I had to call on security agencies in the area and also called on the youth to stop any illegal re-enforcement by moving around to burn people’s houses.

“For now, the Divisional Police Officer of the Egbeda Police Division has arrived in Ubimini. One EMOLVIS man was injured. Two houses of EMOLVIS members were burnt.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but said it was not related to the elections.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that it was not related to the elections. The investigation is ongoing,” she said.

Source: Punch online