When Nigerian Police agents arrived at Elekahia Primary School in the Port Harcourt City local government area, they fired tear gas and took electoral materials, inciting a public outcry that forced voters and officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to flee for their safety.

Following the sighting of around twenty-one heavily armed Hilux police vans approaching the site from Elekahia Road, numerous tear gas cannons were discharged, resulting in chaos.

Ballot papers from the community primary school were strewn all around the school and down the side of the road.

Ten units scrambled for safety as RSIEC officials, who had taken a position to start accreditation in Ward 19, were driven out of the ward by the operatives.

A police officer intimidated an official by yelling, “Come here, take off your vest.” How come you’re here? Common sense action!

While making sure that all voting materials were hauled away and additional tear gas was shot, the officers, some of whom were wearing masks, also urged the officials to take off their vests and give them to them.

Additionally, the agents fired tear gas canisters right into the mass of people fleeing for their life.

Residents and those who came out to vote rushed helter-skelter when a policeman at Elekahia’s Ive Street entrance sprayed more tear gas at onlookers.

A number of police patrol vans drove out of the area carrying several election materials, causing tension in the region as numerous RSIEC officials, voters, and community members ran onto the streets in the Elekahia community incoherently.

When reached, Grace Iringe-Koko, a spokesman for the State Police Command, stated she was unaware of the occurrence.