Hunger Protest suffer setback in Rivers as thugs disrupt demonstration

The nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance has faced a setback in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

This is due to the actions of security agencies, accompanied by individuals appearing to be political thugs, who chased the protesters away.

DAILY POST reports that the security agencies and the alleged political thugs first stormed the Pleasure Park, the original starting point of the protest, to disperse the protesters.

The security forces, along with the thugs wielding canes, later moved to Rumuokwuta, where they apprehended some of the protest organizers.

They then proceeded to Waterlines and the Federal Secretariat on Aba Road, where individuals with canes were stationed to harass anyone suspected of being a protester.

One of the protest organizers, Andy Akportive, speaking from his hideout to journalists, condemned the actions of government agencies and politicians, describing the crackdown on peaceful protesters as unfortunate.

Akportive also expressed concern that the very youths who should be fighting against bad governance were being recruited by the government to oppose those demanding changes that would improve the economy and foster development.

He said, “Today we had come out to do what we had planned that we are going to do, which was to have this protest in Rivers State, saying to the government, as we did earlier some two months ago, that enough is enough.

“You cannot continue to hold the people down all the time. The people are asking for respite. The people are asking for, you know, a breath of fresh air.

“The people’s way to live. They want to exist in their country. The country that we all are equal shareholders.

“You’re not more of a shareholder in leadership than the entire citizens or the rest of the citizens of Nigeria.

“So, we came out today, and we insisted that we are going to have this protest. But of course, agents and agencies of government, individuals and area boys procured by the government attempted to destabilize the protest.

“They’ve got another thing coming.” He added.

He added that the group would re-strategize to continue their protest and urged youths to join the movement in correcting the wrongs of the government.