Violence has escalated dramatically across Rivers State, with reports of corpses now littering the premises of local government offices in Ikwerre and Ahoada East LGAs.

The unrest, which initially began as protests over the recent local government elections, has taken a deadly turn as armed groups clashed around the council offices.

Videos circulating online show graphic scenes of bodies around the council secretariats, a disturbing development following the rejection of newly sworn-in chairmen by supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

The factions have continued to challenge the legitimacy of the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Authorities are yet to release an official death toll, but the violence appears to be spreading across other areas, with gunfire reported at multiple locations.

The Rivers State Police Command has yet to confirm the incidents after security forces pulled out of the council secretariats after an order by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.