Nigeria's police chief orders probe into opposition rally shooting

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba has ordered a full-scale investigation into the shooting incident of Tuesday at the campaign rally of the nation's opposition party in southern Rivers State.

Unknown gunmen attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Okrika town of the state, during which three policemen were injured, one killed and several others wounded.

The police directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Johnson Tunde Ogunshakin to take over the investigation and promptly bring to book all the perpetrators, conspirators and sponsors.

Abba directed a judicious prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with violence across the country.

He noted with grave concern that despite serious warnings, advices and interfaces with political actors to avoid acts of violence in the ongoing electoral process, such acts have continued.

The police chief, however, restated the resolve and commitment of the force, and in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate, to continue to provide an impartial level playing ground for all political parties to sell their manifestos and woo the electorate.

The rally ended abruptly when unknown persons threw explosive devices at the venue.

The gunmen also fired sporadically at the crowd at Okrika National School field, while David Alabere, a leader of APC in Okrika, was addressing the rally.

The explosions and shooting forced party supporters and officials to run for safety.

The explosion damaged the roof of a building at the school. Endi