The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three individuals for stealing point-of-sale machines and vehicle wipers under the guise of protesting against hunger and bad governance. State Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, revealed this while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Disu expressed dismay that the demonstration had been overtaken by miscreants, stating that the organizers of the original protest had lost control. He assured that the police would investigate the matter and provide feedback on their findings.
The Commissioner of Police noted that the protest had deviated from its original intent, with splinter groups moving around the city with ulterior motives. He stated that the situation had escalated, with groups blocking roads, coercing people to join them, and threatening to shut down businesses.
To contain the activities of hoodlums, the Rivers State Police Command has ordered protesters to confine themselves in two designated areas: Abali Park in Mile One, Diobu, and Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt. The Command warned that any disturbance of the peace will be firmly resisted, and individuals found taking the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted.
The Command regretted that ongoing protests in the state have been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in criminal activities, and the original organizers have lost control of the crowd. In a press statement signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Spokesperson of the Command said, “The so-called protesters have resorted to harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities.”
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The Police also warned that the situation has been taken over by hoodlums and called on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards. “Protesters are strongly advised to restrict themselves to the designated protest areas. The Rivers State Police Command will not tolerate any breach of peace or unlawful activities and will take decisive action to restore order and protect the safety of all residents.”
Yesterday, hoodlums blocked the Obiri-Ikwerre flyovers Axis ever-busy East-West road, destroyed APC billboards along Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, burnt tires, extorted motorists, and coerced people to join them, smashing windshields of vehicles that did not carry green leaves.
