Congress: Four feared killed as thugs storm Rivers APC secretariat, Wike threatens to sanction hotels harbouring criminals

The Forces Avenue, GRA, Port Harcourt secretariat of Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) became a theatre of war on Friday, hours before the commencement of congresses.
Thugs, suspected to be working for some APC chiefs who have lost out in the party’s leadership crisis, stormed the venue, shooting.
When they eventually left, four persons were shot.
Scores were injured.
A source said the four shot had died.

A prominent politician has been fingered to be behind the attack.
There was complete chaos in the area as the thugs shot sporadically. Some motorists abandoned their vehicles, running in various directions.
Freedom Online learned that forms for the congress were not sold to members of a faction of the party led by a lawmaker in Abuja.

Said a source: “His loyalists went to the APC secretariat to protest. Later, the protest turned violent as thugs started shooting. All offices in the building were looted. You can see from the photographs taken. It is unfortunate that some people were also shot. Before the arrival of policemen, the thugs had disappeared”.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, immediately condoled with those who lost their loved ones in the fracas.
Wike described as unfortunate the attitude  of some politicians “who fail to understand that politics is not war”.
In a statement on Friday, Wike was quoted as saying: “Politics is not a do or die affair. All politicians must learn to play politics by established rules “.
The governor said the fracas that claimed innocent lives ahead of the APC congress “underscores what Rivers people have continued to say about the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and their Commander, Mr Akin Fakorede, who has been indicted by INEC for election rigging and violence”.
He pleaded with APC members  to continue  to see the state as one, pointing out that it is necessary  for everyone to maintain the peace that the state currently enjoys.
The governor again warned hoteliers who allow their premises to be used as hideouts by criminals for illegal political activities to desist or face appropriate sanctions from the State Government.