Rivers protests taken over by criminal elements, says Police
The Rivers State Police Command has warned protesters to refrain from further breaches of peace or illegal activities, emphasizing that firm action will be taken to restore order and protect residents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command acknowledged that the protests have been hijacked by criminal elements, leading to unlawful activities.
The police, in a statement signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, noted that the original organizers have lost control, allowing hoodlums to exploit the situation.
The statement detailed that “protesters have been disrupting traffic flow, forcing passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erecting canopies on main roads, destroying billboards, threatening traders to cease operations, and setting tires ablaze on roads, actions that are inconsistent with a peaceful protest”.
Iringe-Koko charged protesters to restrict their activities to designated areas such as Abali Park and Pleasure Park.
The Rivers Police command stressed that any additional disturbances will be decisively dealt with, and individuals who violate the law will be taken into custody and prosecuted accordingly.
