Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

Women from the IPO community in Rivers State have staged a blockade at Port Harcourt airport, leading to significant disruptions and leaving passengers stranded amidst the state’s escalating political tensions. As of Tuesday morning, the women were actively preventing vehicles from entering the airport, causing a long queue of cars carrying passengers. Some of the women were seen at the entrance with cooking utensils, firewood, and ingredients, engaging in food preparation activities. While the women had not communicated with the media at the time of this report, they were heard engaging in loud discussions among themselves. Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command had issued a warning regarding a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has been informed about the scheduled protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on June 24, 2024. While we respect the right to peaceful assembly, we have credible information suggesting potential infiltration by troublemakers aiming to cause disruption and chaos within the state.” She added, “Therefore, we strongly advise organizers to postpone the protest to prevent any potential breach of peace. The police will take all necessary lawful actions to safeguard lives and property in Rivers State. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt peace will be apprehended and prosecuted.” In response to the security concerns raised by the police, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to the headquarters of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain stationed there until the threat to peace is deemed to have subsided,” the statement concluded. Following the police advisory, NULGE subsequently called off their planned protest.

Thugs clash as anti-Abure protesters storm LP Secretariat

An angry mob suspected to be thugs loyal to the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), attacked protesters believed to be party supporters from the Edo State chapter who were at the party secretariat to demand Abure’s ouster. Trouble began when the anti- Abure protesters stormed the party headquarters in a number of vehicles holding placards and chanting solidarity songs. No sooner than some of the protesters stepped out of one of the vehicles that the suspected thugs swooped on the vehicles with sticks and other objects forcing the drivers to zoom off. A detachment of armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) intervened when the thugs started throwing stones into the nearby Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in pursuit of reporters who were covering the fracas.  The intervention of the security officials prevented the situation from further degenerating. A police vehicle is currently stationed in between the warring factions.

BREAKING: Many Feared Killed As Soldiers, Gunmen Clash In Mangu

Many were reportedly killed when soldiers and gunmen clashed in two villages of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Saturday morning. The clash occurred after Governor Caleb Mutfwang relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the area. Mutfwang had said following improvement of security, the curfew should be from 8am to 4pm. Sources said that about 30 gunmen were killed while some soldiers sustained injuries during the clash at Satguru and Tyop villages. A security operative, said, “The incident occurred between 7 to 7:30 am when the gunmen came in their numbers and started attacking some communities along Gindri road. In no time, the soldiers were alerted and immediately responded. “About 30 of the gunmen were killed while more than 50 of them were arrested with guns and ammunition. Four soldiers were equally injured.” Another source in the area who also pleaded for anonymity confirmed the incident, adding that people were still in fear. Spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in the area, is yet to respond to the inquiries.