Breaking: Tension as gunmen attack pro-Wike mega rally in Bayelsa

Gunmen numbering about five launched a violent attack on Saturday during a pro-Wike mega rally organised by the New Associates in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

According to a report by the Saturday Sun, the gunmen emerged from the forest behind the event’s main stage and opened fire on the crowd, causing widespread panic as attendees scrambled for safety.

The NEW Associates, a grassroots political group made up of close allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had convened the rally in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The swift response of security forces, including officers of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), prevented a greater tragedy. Eyewitnesses say security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about 10 minutes, eventually forcing the assailants to retreat.

Despite the disruption and several people reportedly sustaining injuries in the chaos, the organisers have vowed that the rally will continue as planned.

Speaking after the attack, the Secretary of the NEW Associates, Ebilade Ekerefe, condemned the incident and reiterated the group’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“We will not be intimidated. Our support for President Tinubu remains unshaken, and we will not back down,” Ekerefe declared.