In Rivers State, police, along with suspected political thugs, have forcibly dispersed protesters who gathered in Port Harcourt for an October 1 demonstration. The law enforcement officers also prevented media representatives from documenting the events, which follows a prior warning issued by the state police against any activities that could disrupt the peace during the Independence Day celebrations.
The planned protest was set to take place at Pleasure Park, located along the busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway. However, the police arrived early and took a firm stance against the demonstrators. Accompanied by youth believed to be affiliated with local political groups, they quickly cleared the area of protesters.
After the initial disruption, some protesters attempted to regroup in the Rumuola area but were met with further police action that again dispersed them. The police have since maintained a significant presence at the protest sites and other potential gathering locations.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, had assured residents of sufficient security measures for the Independence Day celebration, deploying officers to critical areas throughout the city.
In a statement from Police Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko, the command acknowledged awareness of the planned protest associated with the hashtag #FearlessInOctober. The statement urged residents to avoid engaging in activities that might disturb public order.
It read, “We are aware of the upcoming nationwide protest scheduled for October 1, 2024. We encourage all residents to refrain from participating in actions that could disrupt lawful activities and infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens in Rivers State.
“It is essential that the peace we currently enjoy is not compromised, as protests can sometimes be manipulated by individuals or groups seeking to create chaos, which may lead to regrettable incidents. To maintain law and order and ensure the safety of everyone, the Commissioner of Police has dispatched officers to strategic locations. These actions are aimed at protecting lives and property, not instilling fear, and ensuring the free movement of vehicles.”
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