Thugs suspected to be supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday morning invaded the premises of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, setting off fire balls and destroying property.

Information reaching News Express says the emerging scenes show that Idongesit Ituen, a former member of the Assembly, who was recently sacked by the Federal High Court, has mobilised thugs to foment trouble in a bid to hinder movement into the state assembly complex.

“They are allegedly armed and are wielding dangerous weapons. They burn tyres and disrupt regular movement into the assembly complex,” an eye witness informed News Express.

The eye witness account also has it that the thugs were heard charging loudly that without Ituen, no one else can enter the complex.

Anti-riot policemen have arrived the scene but are yet to bring the situation under control.

Earlier today, the State Chapter of the PDP had issued a statement, based on intelligence report, that there were plans by APC to use thugs and cause a breach of peace, thereby stalling proceedings at the chambers.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, on his part, has repeatedly warned politicians against violence, maintaining that nothing short of peace and unity is needed to move Akwa Ibom forward, irrespective of political affiliations or aspirations.

News Express reports that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr. Onofiok Luke, had last week acted in accordance with the judgement of the Federal High Court, which vacated the seat of the former Itu Assemblyman for cross carpeting without any tangible reason.