Sporadic gunshots were heard at the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat on Tuesday as police dispersed a group of youths who had gathered to protest. The youths, who claimed to be from the Ijaw community, were demonstrating against the former local government council chairmen who have refused to vacate their offices despite the expiration of their tenure.
According to the youths, they were peacefully demonstrating when the police started shooting at them. One of the youths was reportedly shot by the police. The leader of the Port Harcourt City youths, Allwell Ichemanti, accused the former Chairman of the Council of inviting the police to attack them.
The gunshots caused pandemonium in the area, with residents and passersby running for safety. The Rivers State Police Command had earlier deployed officers to maintain peace in the area, according to Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu. However, efforts to reach the Police Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko, were unsuccessful as her phone was switched off.
