Police Teargas Returning Ikwerre Council Workers

Staff of Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State were tear-gassed by policemen on Monday shortly after they were addressed by the chairman of the council.
Ikwerre local government was in the news recently when part of its administrative building was set ablaze by suspected political arsonists.
The invading policemen however sent packing the workers, who were returning to work for the first time in about a month since the secretariat was attacked.
One of the staff that spoke to National Point, Chioma Mpi, said the Chairman of the council had instructed staff of the council via heads of council departments to invite staff for a meeting with the council chairman.
The notice of the meeting was received by staff via their departmental WhatsApp platforms on Sunday. The staff came out in their numbers to attend the meeting as scheduled.
While addressing the staff at the council auditorium, Hon. Abosi charged them not to be debarred from coming to work by anyone.
“We have commenced work officially in Ikwerre Local government and there is no going back.
“Coming to do your legitimate job is not illegal. Go and put your office in order and commence your job. Every sectional head should go and put your office in order,” the council chairman had told the workers.
But about 30 minutes after Abosi addressed the staff, men of the Nigeria Police Force opened teargas on staff, forced them out of the council premises and took over the place.
Some of the staff vowed never to set their foot in the premises until the policemen vacate the council premises.
The council boss attended the meeting in company with the former caretaker chairman of the council Hon. Darlington Orji, the council vice-chairperson, ward councillors and his chief of staff.