Rivers Crisis Gets Messier As Police Allegedly Shoot Protesters, Arrests Scores

The crisis in Rivers State has worsen as Police on Tuesday, shot at armless youths that barricaded the gate of the official residence of the Rivers State Speaker of the House of Assembly in Port-Harcourt, demanding the evacuation of the impeached Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

The youths who were in thousands chanted songs demanding that the ousted speaker should vacate the premises for the new Speaker.

Following the insistence of the youths, policemen attached to the official residence, opened fire on the armless protesters.

Information gathered showed that the impeached speaker was convening a meeting of the other members of the House of Assembly when the youths swooped on them, leading to fracas at the gate.

An eyewitness alleged that the police fired gun shots at the protesters, some of whom scampered to safety while the security operatives deployed at the scene arrested scores of youths.

Recall that yesterday, the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency Governor Similanalayi Fubara said that he was shot at on his way for the inspection of the burnt Rivers State House of Assembly by the OC Operation, Rivers State Police command.

Another respondent who pleaded anonymity with our Reporter, stated that Nigerian Police Force should learn to apply rules of engagement in handling civil matters as it is done in saner climes.

Amongst those arrested is the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo and a host of others.

Those arrested were whisked off to unknown destination as at the time of filing this report.