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RIVERS: Gunshots as youths protest at LG secretariat

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There were sporadic gunfire at the Secretariat of Port Harcourt City Council, on Tuesday, as the police dispersed dozens of youths who invaded the secretariat to protest.

The angry youths said they were at the secretariat to carry out a peaceful demonstration against the immediate past local government council chairmen whom they claimed have blatantly refused to vacate office after expiration of their tenure.

NewsBand gathered that the policemen started shooting in the direction of the youths as soon as they were sighted.

“We are Ijaw youths and are here on a peaceful demonstration against those whose tenure has expired but refused to vacate their office.

“We are not here to make trouble. We were just on a peaceful demonstration, but surprisingly the police started shooting at us”, one of the protesting youths who doesn’t want to be quoted said.

Speaking, one of the leaders of Port Harcourt City youths, identified as Ichemanti, alleged that one of the protesting youths were shot at by the police.

The situation had heightened tension in the metropolis as the gunshots could be heard far away.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was informed of reports of gunshots in the area but said it was not from the police.

Iringe-Koko said, “It is not the police that are shooting. Our men have been deployed already to identify and apprehend those disturbing the peace.

“As I speak to you now, the Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police are on patrol. Policemen that have been deployed there and they are visible.

“We will ensure nobody takes the laws into their hands under our watch. The CP on Monday said the police is ready to do its job, and that is what we are doing.”