The shooting incident that took place during a pro-rally that was organized on Saturday by the NEW Associates, a group that is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been criticized by the government of Bayelsa state.
NEW Associates is a political group loyal to the FCT Minister Wike.
On Saturday, gunmen momentarily interrupted the event that was supposed to inaugurate the group’s executives by firing shots into the air just after the program began.
Participants in a rally organized by NEW Associates in the Igbogene neighborhood of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, were defended from an invasion by armed men by security forces.
The government issued a statement in which it requested the Inspector-General of Police and state police authorities to investigate and identify individuals guilty for the violence that occurred at the protest.
The statement was signed by Mrs. Obiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who is the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy.
Concern was voiced by the authorities on the possibility that the shooting was premeditated.
It was mentioned that the event’s organizers had earlier issued a warning that “the good, the bad, and the ugly” would be present at the gathering.
The statement demands an immediate investigation to identify and punish those responsible.
The government brought attention to the fact that the rally was hosted at a religious organization’s facilities, in addition to the fact that it did not adhere to the rules for political activities established by the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Political factions in the state were cautioned not to desecrate houses of worship as part of their partisan activity, the document said.
In addition, it made it clear that it would punish lawbreakers among religious groups without hesitation.
Maintaining peace in the state and protecting the lives and property of all people are priorities for the government.