Security operatives in Rivers State successfully foiled an attempted theft of sensitive electoral materials from the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) early Friday morning.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 1 a.m. when people dressed in police uniforms attempted to breach the commission’s premises.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspects tried to scale the gates and access the strong room where crucial materials for the upcoming local government election, scheduled for Saturday, were stored.
He said their plan was foiled when vigilant security personnel alerted the principal officers of the commission, who promptly notified Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other relevant authorities.
In response to the incident, Governor Fubara led a team of government officials, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, and other political stakeholders to the scene.
Speaking to reporters outside the RSIEC office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the governor condemned the attempted theft and praised the security forces for their prompt action.
“Local government elections are the internal affairs of states,” Fubara stated.
“I urge those trying to disrupt the process and incite chaos to allow the federation unit to manage its affairs without interference,” he added.
In the wake of the incident, a contingent of government officials, stakeholders, and supporters has been maintaining a vigil at the RSIEC facility to ensure the integrity of the election process.
However, as of now, security authorities have not released an official statement regarding the attempted theft.
Sahara Reporters
