Not less than five people were killed Wednesday in Bayelsa State as political thugs of both the All Pregressive Congress, APC, and People’s Democratic Party, PDP, clashed during a campaign rally in Nembe Ogbolomabiri under Nembe Local Government Area.
During the violent invasion, a staff of the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation known as Simon Onu, was killed by a stray bullet.
Four other persons said to be supporters of the PDP and indigenes of Nembe-Ogbolomabiri community were also killed during the violence, which equally saw a policeman being shot in the leg.
Heavy shooting by armed men reportedly rocked the King Koko Square, venue of the campaign rally, forcing party loyalists to take to their heels.
The attackers, it was also learnt, opened fire on the protocol bus of the Bayelsa State Government House along the junction between Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri.
Some journalists were also caught in the violence as many of them sustained injuries and were only rescued from the scene by the military.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Nembe Chiefs Council, Nengi James, said there was a clash between rival supporters of the PDP and APC in the area, resulting in the violence.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Asinim Bustwart, was yet to respond to questions by our correspondent as of the time of this report.
Reacting to the development, National Vice Chairman of PDP (South-South), Elder Emmanuel Ogidee, described the incident as unfortunate despite the peace accord by all political parties.
He said, “We want the Federal Government to take action. We want them to bring those involved to book.”