Tension In Rivers Over Ex-Militants’ Plot Against Amaechi

Anayo Onukwugha

— January 21, 2014

There are fears that the peace of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  would be disrupted today as suspected ex-militants have allegedly perfected plans to storm the city in a protest against Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

This is as reactions continued to trail recent political activities in Rivers State, many of them condemning attending violent acts and the actions or inactions security operatives, especially the State Police Command, in them.

Revealing the alleged plan, a top government functionary, who did not wish to be named, said the planners were working to create a pretext for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

He said further that the plan to disrupt the peace of Port Harcourt today (Tuesday) is sequel to previous violent disruption of events organized by the pro-Amaechi Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in the last few weeks by both policemen and ex-militants in Port Harcourt and Bori.

LEADERSHIP recalls that demonstrators, mainly ex-militants, staged a mass protest in Port Harcourt last year and blocked the entrances to Government House, and prevented some senators who had visited the governor from leaving.

He, however, expressed grave concerns that the anti-government protests in the state capital might escalate into fiery street battles between the anti-Amaechi demonstrators and supporters of the governor.

Meanwhile, the Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality (COEN) has demanded an apology from Amaechi and the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality for recommending Chief Nyesom Wike as minister in Nigeria.

It described Wike as not only a clog in Rivers wheel of progress but a selfish and mischievous child whose quest for power has turned him into a vessel for the destruction of the people and hijacking of their resources.

  Rivers: Police Arraign 11 Pro-Abe Protesters

   Eleven persons suspected to be involved in a protest on Monday, January 13, 2014, over the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe by the police on Sunday, January 12, have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The men and others at large had, on that day, allegedly caused mayhem along Eleme-Akpajo axis of the East-West Road, Port Harcourt, destroyed vehicles and barricaded the road for hours.

Ten of them are facing a three-court charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering  and possession of dangerous weapons.

@leadership