The Senator Representing South-East Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Magnus Abe and Chief of Staff Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha were among those who escaped death when team of the Rivers State Police Command came to the inauguration venue of Save Rivers Movement with armour vehicles and shot teargas randomly to disperse the crowd.
The incident took place at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt on Sunday at about 6:00am.
One of those who escaped death but wounded at the right leg is the Chief of Staff Government House, Chief Okocha.
Briefing journalists shortly after a similar incident that took place at the Rumuigbo Civic Center at about 12.00noon.
The Chief of Staff Government House, Chief Okocha stated that the Obio/Akpor chapter of Save Rivers Movement has a Thanksgiving and the inauguration of Save Rivers Movement and that they notified police about the occasion.
Chief Okocha said that he was shocked when he got a telephone call that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu has been compromised.
He alleged that the police invaded the venue and pulled down the canopies, destroyed the chairs and the musical instruments, and when he came to the venue himself the police started shooting at him and others.
When asked what happened at the Rumuigbo Civic Center, he mentioned that about five troopers of police were deployed to the venue, where they shoot teargas directly at them and the senator.
The Chief of Staff stated that the situation was like a war zone with armoured tankers and personnel carriers.
Explaining further he said that the supporters were armless civilians but alleged that the Save Rivers Movement is aware of the antics of the police what they are looking for a state of lawlessness to attract a State of Emergency.
He lamented that also in the state the police have been seen protecting some group of former militants who took the streets of Port Harcourt yet the poor civilians are treated like common criminals.
Sir. Okocha said their rights have been violated by the same police that ought to have protected them. “Hon. Magnus Abe and myself were shot” he alleged.
He said this was an orchestrated plan because recently some of his security details were withdrawn from him.
In reaction to the disruption of the Save Rivers Movement rally the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muhammed said in a radio interview that no life bullet was used to botch the rally but confirmed that teargas was used sporadically.
One of the leaders of Save Rivers Movement and former Member House of Representatives, Hon. Igo Aguma stated that they wrote to the police and permission was granted but was shocked for the action of the police. He, however, attributed the police action to the fear that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike has lost followership in his domain.
In another development some Ogoni Youths have staged a protest over what they regarded as a police brutality against Senator Magnus Abe. According to information available some Ogoni youths early hours of Monday staged a violence protest. Hon. Magnus Abe have been flown abroad for medical treatment.
Some of the aggrieved youths stated that they would not allow the police or any tribe to kill an Ogoni man unjustly again. ###
Pius Dukor
