Rivers State experienced a return to calm yesterday following two days of intense disruption during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The protest, which initially began peacefully, was marred by chaos on the sixth and seventh days when hoodlums hijacked the movement. These individuals reportedly extorted traders and motorists, while also causing damage to various properties. The ensuing unrest forced many businesses, including banks, to close their doors.
Commercial activities have resumed across the state, with shops and businesses reopening for normal operations.
Despite this, the Federal Secretariat along Aba Road, a regular gathering point for the protesters, remained under heavy security. Police vans were stationed around the area, and anti-protest protesters were seen loitering nearby.
One of the protest leaders stated that the organizers are currently reviewing the events that led to the disruption of their peaceful demonstration.
He also accused security operatives of using tear gas on genuine protesters near Port Harcourt Pleasure Park on Wednesday. “We are assessing the situation to prevent further losses, as has occurred in other areas where hoodlums took advantage of the protests to loot. Our protests have been peaceful, but it seems some sponsored youths are attempting to hijack them,” Walton said.
In addition, Lemoha Dumle, Chairman of the Civil Rights Council in Rivers State, confirmed that the protest was postponed to avoid casualties after hoodlums attacked demonstrators. “We observed hoodlums gathering at the Federal Secretariat to hijack the protest, so we decided to withdraw to protect citizens from harm,” Dumle explained.
He also expressed concerns about the anti-protest protesters, most of whom are unemployed youths, and questioned whether they had been paid by politicians to disrupt the demonstrations.
The Chairman of the union, Stanley Job Stanley, described the attacks as a threat to freedom of expression and the press, emphasizing the need to protect journalists as they perform their duties.
