Rivers crisis escalates as Ijaw youths attack Speaker’s residence, many injured, scores arrested
By Emma Ogbuehi
The political crisis rocking Rivers State escalated on Tuesday as many youths, mainly of Ijaw extraction, sustained injuries following their attempt to attack the official residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaewhule is leading the 24 members of the Assembly opposed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The angry youths invaded Amaewhule’s private residence at the Old GRA in Port Harcourt but were repelled by armed security operatives, who rushed to the area to save the situation.
The youths were first seen occupying the entrance to the building but later tried to pull down the gate and gain forceful entry into the compound.
In a video, chairman of the Nigeria Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, Amb. Ihunwo Chijioke, who led the protest was heard referring to Amaehule as a former speaker.
He threatened the youths would burn down the house if he failed to vacate the residence within two hours.
READ ALSO: Dakuku Peterside calls for order in Rivers, says peaceful state now theatre of the absurd
He said Amaewhule had been removed as Speaker and had no business occupying the building.
According to him: “Greatest Rivers youths, we are here because the former Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has been impeached. We are here as Rivers youths to tell him to vacate his official residence because he has been impeached.
“If not we are going to destroy this building because it was built by Rivers State money. He has been suspended and he should go back to his house. We have a new speaker, Edison Ehie. I appeal to everybody to remain calm because they must leave.”
But while trying to stop them from possibly burning the house, the police operatives shot at different directions leading to stampede that injured many of them.
Many of the youths were also reportedly arrested and thrown into the cell by security agents for disturbing public peace.
Since the impeachment process against Fubara commenced on Monday, youths mainly from the Ijaw extraction, have been occupying the main gate of the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt.
Spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Bedford Benjamin, confirmed the development but said the youths had no intention of attacking Amaewhule’s residence.
He said the aggrieved youths only went there on a peaceful protest and condemned the decision of security agents to fire at them.
Benjamin said there was an unconfined report that someone was killed by the bullets adding that many of the protesters sustained injuries.
He said one of the youths and Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Chijioke Ihunwo, and many others were arrested and thrown into a cell.
Bedford said: “We condemn in strong terms the sporadic shooting at peaceful protesters at the factional speaker’s residential area in Rivers State. One person is feared dead from the shooting, many others sustained gun wounds and other degrees of injuries.
“We demand the unconditional release of the chairman of Rivers State youth council and the numerous Ijaw youths that are being arrested and detained unlawfully. Peaceful protests are backed by law, and anybody who is bent on usurping the will of the people will be resisted by the people.
“We urge those saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the state not to play politics in the discharge of their duty as that can lead to further dangerous outcome.
“The IYC calls on the federal government to step in immediately before the outcome disrupts the economy of the state and by extension the nation. We cannot afford this level of civil criminality in a democratic system”.
The Rivers State Police command was yet to release an official statement on the development.
