Okenyi Kenechi
Residents protesting against the brutalities of the allegedly disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, have brought traffic to a halt in several parts of Port Harcourt.
Some protesters converged at the Obiri Ikwerre Bridge where traffic was grounded and matched from the bridge down to the Airport Road before diverting to the road leading to the operational headquarters of SARS at Rukpoku.
Other protesters gathered at the Pleasure Park while some converged at the Government House Roundabout on Azikiwe road.
Fam!!! We're passing through SARS office Port Harcourt #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/rIGbvyBD0u
— #EndSARS (@Kwinjane) October 20, 2020
These guys are sponsored thugs to distract the peaceful protest ongoing in Port Harcourt. What a shame!#EndSARS pic.twitter.com/7HfWW80kWb
— DON-DARROW #SABIBOY🌍 (@don_darrow) October 20, 2020
If political thugs come we go tell them make them disembark,na port harcourt we Dey #PortHarcourtEndSARSProtest #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeraNOW pic.twitter.com/jEMpoVsK4v
— OVM (@1dabanton) October 20, 2020
Happening now in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
ENDSARS! pic.twitter.com/e4uVmfmw2y— Woka God'smiracle (@wokacity) October 20, 2020
A pro-Buhari group, however, converged at the Polo Park in GRA from whence they are expected to match to the Police Headquarters at Moscow Road.
The group is led by a former chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Rivers State, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree and there are fears that they might clash with other protesters leading to a breakdown of law and order.
Rivers State People are demanding that Wike constitute a panel of inquiry as well as putting an #EndToBadGovernance in the state.#EndSARS #5for5 pic.twitter.com/NYmpEp0CBu
— Buhari's Sister 🇳🇬 (@DaminaboEric) October 20, 2020
The Rivers State Government had on Monday night raised an alarm over plans to cause mayhem during the protest.
The government accused the minister of transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of mobilizing thugs to cause a breakdown of law and order during the protest.
Paulinus Nsirim, the state’s commissioner for information and communications in a statement said the Amaechi’s faction of the party has recruited protesters who would be carrying placards with inscriptions: “#EndSARS,” and “End Unemployment” and have been fully mobilized to cause the planned mayhem.
According to the statement: “It is worthy of note that #EndSARS protest in the State has not only been peaceful but has also received overwhelming support from the government and people of the State.
“Surprisingly, Rotimi Amaechi who did everything to frustrate the implementation of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that indicted SARS operatives in the State is now turning around to “support” #EndSARS protest.
“We wish to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call
Rotimi Amaechi, who is not happy that Rivers State has remained peaceful since the nation-wide protests began, to order.
“Security Agencies are also enjoined to be aware of the plot by Amaechi and his cohorts to hijack the #EndSARS protest.
“Local Government Chairmen are to remain alert and ensure that youths in their Local Government Areas are not used to carry out any form of destruction”.
The statement further said that Rivers youths, who are the genuine and patriotic protesters, must understand the evil antics of these enemies of the State and reject their ulterior motives.
“Our detractors do not want us to enjoy the peace that the government and security agencies have worked very hard to achieve. We must resist their devilish plots by remaining law-abiding.
” We remain irrevocably committed to our stand against the atrocities of the now-disbanded SARS.
” All well-meaning citizens of the State are hereby advised to vehemently oppose any attempt by any individual or group to make our dear State to suffer violence”.
