The police in Rivers State have arrested some youths in the state for attempting to attack the official residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker leading the 24 members of the House of Assembly opposed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The angry youths stormed Amaewhule’s private residence at the Old GRA in Port Harcourt and tried to pull down the gate. However, they were repelled by armed security operatives, who rushed to the area to save the situation and allegedly fired gunshots before arresting some of the youths.
Since the impeachment process against Governor Fubara commenced on Monday, youths, mainly from the Ijaw extraction, have been occupying the main gate of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
Spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Bedford Benjamin, confirmed the development but said the youths had no intention of attacking Amaewhule’s residence. He said the aggrieved youths only went there on a peaceful protest and condemned the decision of security agents to fire at them.
Benjamin said there was an unconfined report that someone was killed by the bullets adding that many of the “protesters” sustained injuries. He added that one of the youths and Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Chijioke Ihunwo and many others were arrested and thrown into a cell.
“We condemn in strong terms the sporadic shooting at peaceful protesters at the factional speaker’s residential area in Rivers state. One person is feared dead from the shooting many others sustained gun wounds and other degrees of injuries. We demand the unconditional release of the chairman of Rivers state youth council and the numerous Ijaw youths that are being arrested and detained unlawfully. Peaceful protests are backed by law, and anybody who is bent on usurping the will of the people will be resisted by the people.
We urge those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the state not to play politics in the discharge of their duty as that can lead to further dangerous outcome.
The IYC calls on the federal government to step in immediately before the outcome disrupt the economy of the state and by extension the nation. We can not afford this level of civil criminality in a democratic system” she said.
The Rivers State Police command is yet comment on the development.
Watch a video of the youths below.
