Protesting Youths Storm Rivers Speaker’s Residence, Leading to Arrests and Injuries
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – In a dramatic turn of events, protesting youths in Rivers State stormed the residence of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, leading to the arrest of over 200 demonstrators and leaving several injured in the state capital of Port Harcourt.
The irate youth, motivated by their demand for Amaewhule’s eviction, contended that he no longer held the position of Speaker.
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This incident comes on the heels of former House Leader Edison Ehie’s assertion that 26 of his colleagues had elected him as the new Speaker during a plenary session held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
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Despite resistance from security personnel, the determined youth persisted in their efforts to access the Speaker’s residence. This culminated in security forces firing warning shots into the air, causing numerous demonstrators to sustain injuries. Regrettably, one youth was struck by a stray bullet during the altercation.
A member of the Ijaw Youths Council, identified as Thankgod, decried the arrests, asserting, “We did not touch his (Amaewhule) gate. We were just on a peaceful protest over what took place at the state House of Assembly. Some members (lawmakers) claimed they had signed a notice of impeachment on the governor, and we said it is illegal. It was a peaceful protest. You can see we are not armed.”
Online videos have surfaced, depicting the apprehended youth seated on the premises of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau in Port Harcourt. Among those arrested was Chijioke Ihunwo, the state chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Irnge-Koko, promised to provide further information but had not done so as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday evening.
A senior police source confirmed the incident, noting, “Those arrested are over 200. One of them is the Chairman of NYCN, Chijioke Ihunwo. One was seriously injured. The ones arrested are in custody.”
Prior to this incident, the protesting youths had occupied the entrance leading to the Government House along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, as they continued their Monday protest against the planned impeachment of the governor by some lawmakers. Their determination to resist any attempts to remove the governor underscores the ongoing political turbulence in Rivers State.
This event has raised concerns about the escalating tension in the state and the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution to the political disputes. It remains to be seen how this situation will develop and how it might impact the state’s political landscape.
