Victims of Tuesday’s shootings at Okrika, the Rivers State hometown of First Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday relived their ordeal.

The campaign rally of Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dakuku Peterside, was truncated by explosions and gunshots fired by thugs suspected to be sympathetic to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

One policeman was killed while more than 50 people were injured.

Among the injured were four soldiers, who were being treated at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMH) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Some reporters including Channels Television man Charles Eruka were injured. Eruka was stabbed on the head and neck.

Speaking at the hospital, a Soldier, who simply gave his name as Matthew, said, “I was posted to Okrika on election duty. You can see me here, we are about four soldiers rushed to this hospital. You can see wound all over my body,   I thank God that I am alive to tell my story.

Other soldiers at the hospital refused to speak.

Okechukwu, Ibe, an eyewitness, who lives in Okrika, said “There was tight security in and around the venue of the rally, Okrika Grammar School, but the first dynamite explosion occurred at about 1:20pm on the field.

“The explosion attracted the attention of Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit and other security operatives to carry out search behind one of the school buildings. Shortly, an announcement was made from the podium, ordering everybody in the VIP stand irrespective of status, to vacate the area for security reasons.

“While the people on the VIP stand were about heeding the order, the second explosion occurred inside the school classroom at about 1:31pm, while the third explosion happened five minutes later. The venue became tensed up, and there was pandemonium. Security agencies arrested a young man allegedly in connection with the explosions.

“Barely 20 minutes after, the APC governorship candidate and his campaign team arrived, and the programme continued. In the midst of solidarity speeches, sporadic shootings came behind the Okrika Grammar School and the Cemetery.

“People scampered for safety, while the shootings increased. The hoodlums attacked the Public Address System (PAS) and other facilities with explosives. At this stage, it was difficult to ascertain the number of people.”

Police spokesman Ahmed Mohammad denied that another policeman had died in the hospital. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Dan Bature and I were at the hospital to see them. They are stable and recuperating,” he said.

Mr. Joseph Amachree, one of the victims whose legs were bandaged, said: “my brother, all I could say is that God gave me another chance on earth.  I was at the venue. After the second explosions, we thought it was over. I went back thinking normalcy had returned.

But I was surprised when some people came with all kinds of weapons, shooting, I heard a gunshot, but I cannot say what happened. Only to see myself at the hospital bed the next day. I thank God I am getting better now.

Philip Williams, another victim, said he saw people running for dear lives and he joined them.

When they rushed me here I was bleeding on my head and I couldn’t talk. I thank God that I can talk to you now and I can recognize you.

Anayo Onukwugha of Leadership said: “Immediately the sounds of the guns and dynamites started coming closer, I made for an alternative route to connect to the ATC road, knowing full well that the road leading to the Saint Peter’s Cathedral had been taken over by the armed youths, who were exchanging gunfire with security agents.

Source: THE NATION