Following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, military personnel have taken control of the Government House in Port Harcourt.
An Armoured Personnel Carrier has also been stationed at the entrance on Azikiwe Road.
It remains unclear whether Governor Siminalayi Fubara was inside his official residence when soldiers arrived around 9 p.m.
The development has caused panic among residents, with many hurrying home over fears of potential unrest.
In a nationwide address, President Tinubu justified the emergency rule, citing the prolonged political standoff between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
As part of the directive, Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly have been suspended for six months.
To manage the state during this period, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as interim administrator, clarifying that the judiciary would continue operating as usual.
In response, Governor Fubara urged citizens to remain calm, assuring them of his commitment to upholding democracy.
He also accused lawmakers loyal to Wike of obstructing his efforts to implement a Supreme Court ruling.
Meanwhile, legal experts, political stakeholders, and opposition parties have criticized the president’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.