Allegations of bribery to cause a split among those involved in the #Endbadgovernance protests in Port Harcourt, as well as intimidation by a gang of anti-protest youths may have led to a suspension of action on the streets of the Rivers State capital on Wednesday.
Being day eight of the protest, the protesters had given the indication that they would build on the gains of their protest in the last seven days in their bid to continue to draw the attention of the federal government to the excruciating hunger in the land.
Although, suspected hoodlums and thieves are believed to have hijacked the exercise which has been noted to be peaceful in Port Harcourt since it started last Thursday. In the last few days, some hoodlums had started breaking into people’s shops and homes under the guise of protesting against hunger.
On Tuesday, they had destroyed the signpost of the APC, even as they started attacking motorists in the state capital, especially those who did not decorate their vehicles with green leaves to show solidarity.
By Wednesday morning, the protesters had started to assemble in front of the federal secretariat on Aba Road, with their loud speakers, before some youths descended on and chased them out of the place on the grounds that their protest had been hijacked.
The development forced the protesters to announce a suspension of their action for Wednesday, thereby allowing traders at the Oil Mill Market to go about their businesses without fear. The traders were not willing to display their goods as they usually do, on Wednesday morning, following threats that the protesters were going to storm the market.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command says it has become aware that the ongoing protests in the state have been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in criminal activities. The original organizers have lost control of the crowd.
The command said in a statement by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko on Wednesday that “the so-called protesters have resorted to harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities. They have disrupted traffic flow, forced passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erected canopies on main roads, destroyed billboards, threatened traders to cease operations, and set tires ablaze on the roads – actions that are uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.
“Protesters are advised to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park. Any disturbance of the peace will be firmly resisted, and individuals found taking the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted.
“The police hereby warn that the situation has been taken over by hoodlums and call on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards.
“Protesters are strongly advised to restrict themselves to the designated protest areas. The Rivers State Police Command will not tolerate any breach of peace or unlawful activities, and will take decisive action to restore order and protect the safety of all residents.”
