[center]TENSION heightened in Rivers State, yesterday, as soldiers in over 20 vehicles, allegedly invaded and ransacked the palace of the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Majesty Ateke Tom.

Community sources hinted that one person was killed, but it could not be independently confirmed last night, while five persons were arrested during the offensive. HM Ateke Tom, a former leader of Niger Delta struggle is one of the monarchs strongly in support of the second term bid of Governor Nyemsom Wike. Vanguard could not confirm if they were searching for arms and suspected thugs, but a military source said “The army acted on a tip off.’ Our sources said there was commotion in the kingdom, as the fierce- looking military men combed the palace, leaving with five guests to the king. Vanguard gathered that the soldiers during the operations killed three dogs belonging to the king and destroyed all the security cameras at the palace. South South hails Nigerian military over deployment of troops to protect voters Confirming the development, Tamuno Peters, one of the media aides to the king, said that the soldiers upon invasion of the palace reportedly shot one person. He said: “This afternoon (yesterday), military men in over 20 vans invaded the home of King Ateke Tom, without any information. They shot a youth and carried, they also killed three dogs because they were barking at them. “The Army men also destroyed all the security cameras at the home of King Ateke. They entered the camera room and destroyed everything so that they will not be recorded. They went to the guest quarters and arrested five persons for no just cause. They carted away money from the room of His Majesty.” At press time, it was alleged that HM Ateke Tom knew about the death of one Chief Monwan Etete from Andoni, a former council chairman and close associate of a powerful All Progressive Congress, APC, leader in the state.
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.source: Vanguard https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/tension-in-rivers-as-soldiers-invade-king-ateke-toms-palace