Rivers crisis: Police arrested 122 protesters

The Rivers State Police Command through the state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday that about 122 youths have been arrested who allegedly invaded the residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly Rivers State, during a protest in Port Harcourt as a result of the crisis in State House of Assembly Complex.

The police command confirmed that the protesters were led by Chijioke Ihunwo, the State Chairman of the National Youths Council of Nigeria.

The statement reported by the commissioner was signed by Grace Iringe-Koko, the command spokesperson, and a Superintendent of Police. The statement stated that the youth, forcefully gained entrance by damaging the gate of the Speaker’s residence at Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt with the intent to commit a felony.

The statement read: “The Rivers State Police Command, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, around 11 30 a.m. arrested some youths led by Chijioke Ihunwo, who, with intent to commit a felony, went to the official residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, located at Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, where they forcefully gained entrance into the Speaker’s residence and maliciously damaged the gate of the house.

The commissioner assured that security has been beefed up at the state House of Assembly complex, the Speaker’s residence, and other strategic locations in the state to stop any breakdown of law and order in the state.