Scores Allegedly Injured as Security Operatives Stop Youths Protest in A’ Ibom

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Scores of people were reportedly injured when security operatives confronted youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Advocacy Movement, (NDAM) and Ibom Youth Council (IYC), during a protest match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday.

The youths were said to had embarked on the  protest  in the  city demanding five  per cent share from the 13 per cent oil derivation.

The youths in their numbers also drawn from some other oil producing states of the Niger Delta region were on protest towards the State Government House along Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo when security operatives blocked them from further movement.

An eyewitness said there was pandemonium when the police opened teargas on the group to disperse them during which scores of people were injured as they scampered for safety.

Some residents of the area including Eka Street, Asutan Street and Udoh Streetssaid they were afraid when they heard gunshots and people running and seeking to take refuge in their houses and offices and were forced to lock up  offices for fear of the unknown.

“The protesting youths were many in number and the whole thing almost led to a stampede. They were at the Wellington Bassey Way roundabout leading to the government House when the police stopped them from proceeding to government House”, the source said..

The two protesting groups of the youth numbering over 500   clad in white and another in  black clothes  later converged on the popular Plaza roundabout by Ikot Ekpene Road where they continued with the peaceful protest.

Security agents comprising soldiers, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Police personally led by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Olatoye Durosinmi, were also strategically positioned at the Plaza area to ensure that the protest did not degenerate to a violent one.

It took the JTF team hectic time to dislodge the group from the Wellington Bassey Way down to the Plaza roundabout, where they ventilated their grievances.

Speaking with newsmen, one of  the leaders of the group who identified himself as Bassey James said: “ I am the Niger Delta Advocacy Movement Secretary. In collaboration with Ibom Youth Council  we have come to take our right that we have lost for 16 years.

“Akwa Ibom Youths have not been employed. We have suffered a lot. Our youths have not been empowered. That is why we’ve come out en masse to make sure that the governor looks into our matter.

“We are asking for five per cent out of the 13 per cent oil derivation. And they have said they would call us for dialogue. But failure to do that we will take another step,” he said.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Odiko MacDon, said: “Well the truth of the matter is that they were addressed by the Commissioner of Police, and Commander Two Brigade, and other sister agencies on the need to be peaceful.

“They were also addressed by the Commissioner for Internal Security but they insisted that they have to access the government House, that  is why a commensurate force was used to disperse them.   They have dispersed peacefully so there’s no need for anybody to worry or for confrontation.”