Northerners who change money at the presidential hotel area of Port Harcourt are currently rioting over alleged killing of their colleague by personnel of the Rivers State Task Force.
The rioters blocked one lane of the Rumuola – Presidential road, threatening to go violent on the personnel of state task force.
It was gathered the victim, a Hausa septuagenarian man, was killed when the task force personnel stormed the area.
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The task force team set up by Governor Nyesom Wike to tackle the issue of street trading and illegal parking has come under intense criticism by residents who accused them of use of maximum force, including the use of machetes in the discharge of their duties.
A week ago, they were accused of destroying 36 cars and leaving three drivers with machete cuts during a raid at the popular slaughter market in Woji.
The riot led to the destruction of property as a vehicle belonging to one Samuel Chinweze was destroyed.
It caused major traffic gridlock as vehicles were prevented by the youths from crossing the area.
Police officers who arrived at the scene to forestall a breakdown of law and order later took away the corpse of the deceased.
