One person was killed on Wednesday in Bayelsa State after violence erupted during the Peoples Democratic Party’s campaign for Saturday’s governorship election.
It was gathered that the incident, which happened at Nembe-Ogbolomabiri in the Nembe Local Government Area, also left several persons injured.
The deceased, whose identity was given as Simon Onu, was said to be the driver of the outside broadcast van of the state-owned radio station in Yenagoa.
Some members of staff of the radio station confirmed the death of the OB van driver.
The violence broke out about 24 hours after two policemen were said to have been killed by gunmen at a checkpoint at Otuogidi in the Ogbia LGA.
Heavy shootings were said to have rocked the King Koko Square venue of the PDP rally at Nembe-Ogbolomabiri as yet-to-be-identified armed men opened fire shortly after party supporters gathered and were waiting for dignitaries to arrive.
Governor Seriake Dickson and the PDP standard-bearer, Senator Douye Diri, were among party leaders that were to address the crowd.
The campaign visit to Nembe LGA was said to be the last rally by the PDP before the governorship poll on Saturday.
A source said, “Some boys threatened in Nembe yesterday (Tuesday) that they would not allow the PDP to hold their rally today (Wednesday).
“Everyone ran in different directions when they started shooting.”
However, the state PDP in a statement by the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Emmanuel Ogidi, said, “We have lost five persons and I saw the picture of a policeman who was injured. The Federal Government should take action immediately.
Also, the Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, did not answer calls to his mobile phone.
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