The newly elected Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Israel Abosi, has taken control of the council secretariat in Isiokpo.
The development is coming less than 24 hours after the secretariat was set on fire by thugs on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, Abosi was seen at the LG secretariat with his deputy, newly elected councillors and a group of supporters, including some vigilante members, who were brandishing guns and firing shots into the air.
They were chanting solidarity songs and challenging their political opponents to come to the council secretariat.
DAILY POST recalls that both the Ikwere and Emohua LG secretariats were set on fire on Monday after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, withdrew the officers who were securing the 23 council secretariats in Rivers State.
The situation has since escalated into chaos, with the Governor Sim Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike camps trading blames.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigerian Police Force to ensure security is provided for all 23 LG secretariats.
Tinubu reacts to Rivers LG elections, directs police to intervene
Rivers crisis: Ikwere LG chairman takes over secretariat after fire incident