Protesters In Rivers Declared Wanted After Murder of 2 Officers, As Assembly Complex Goes Up In Flames
No fewer than 3 policemen and a vigilante have reportedly been confirmed dead in a violent clash between supporters of the embattled Governor Similayi Fubara and the supporters of Nyesome Wike, FCT Minister.
It will be recalled that on 18 March 2025, President. Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency rule in River State, suspending Gov.Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, elected State assembly lawmakers and others for 6 months while Vice Admiral.Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas(retired) was immediately appointed on 19 March as the Sole Administrator of the Stare.
Earlier in the Rivers State, the State Assembly Complex was reportedly also set ablaze by suspected hoodlums who stormed the complex during a violent protest in the state.
It was gathered that on 18 June 2024 a peaceful protest organised by staunch supporters of the embattled Gov.Siminalayi Fubara was allegedly hijacked by supporters of FCT Minister as government’s infrastructure and buildings were brazenly vandalized and set ablaze.
A statement made available by the Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Police stated that some persons who are staunch supporters of Gov.Fubara were responsible for mobilizing thugs who led a violent protest on 18 June in Omuma local government area.
The thugs during the clash, according to the statement, were responsible for the murder of 2 police officers in Omuma local government area.
Meanwhile, the thugs were also said to have been responsible for setting the Rivers State Assembly Complex on fire in Obio-Akpor local government area where another police officer and a vigilante were reportedly confirmed dead during a violent clash between supporters of Governor Similayi Fubara and those of the FCT Minister.
The statement added that the Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Police after its preliminary investigation into the violent protest which led to the murder of 3 police officers and a vigilante thereafter declared Paul Austin, Ajah Paul King, Dominic Festus and Emmanuel Ebere wanted as the organizers of the violent protest. .
The statement further urged members of the general public, with useful information on the whereabouts of PaulAustin, Ajah Paul King, Dominic Festus and Emmanuel Ebere, to report at any nearby police station within the country or the criminal investigation into of the Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Police.
