Police authorities in Rivers say men of the command have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone found guilty of causing violence during the ongoing protest in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, the Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said hoodlums had hijacked the protest resulting in criminal activities.
The police said the so-called protesters were harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities.
Iringe-Koko noted the protesters were disrupting the 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 the roads.
The police insisted that such actions were uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.
The statement advised the protesters to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park and cautioned that any disturbance of the peace would be firmly resisted.
The police called on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards during this period.
“The Rivers State Police Command has become aware that the ongoing protests in the state have been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in criminal activities. The original organizers have lost control of the crowd,” she said.
“The so-called protesters have resorted to harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities. They have disrupted traffic flow, forced passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erected canopies on main roads, destroyed billboards, threatened traders to cease operations, and set tires ablaze on the roads – actions that are uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.
“Protesters are advised to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park. Any disturbance of the peace will be firmly resisted, and individuals found taking the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted.
“The police hereby warn that the situation has been taken over by hoodlums and call on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards.
“Protesters are strongly advised to restrict themselves to the designated protest areas. The Rivers State Police Command will not tolerate any breach of peace or unlawful activities, and will take decisive action to restore order and protect the safety of all residents,” she added.
