By Fawaz Adebisi
A group of angry youths, mostly from the Ijaw ethnic group, attempted to storm the official residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Tuesday night.
Amaewhule is one of the 24 lawmakers who oppose Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is facing an impeachment process.
The youths, who claimed that Amaewhule had been impeached and replaced by Edison Ehie, demanded that he vacate his house in Port Harcourt’s Old GRA within two hours or face destruction.
They tried to break down the gate and enter the compound, but were met with resistance by security operatives who arrived at the scene.
The police reportedly fired shots in different directions to disperse the protesters, causing a stampede that injured many of them.
Some of the youths were also arrested and detained for disturbing public peace.
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide condemned the police action and said the youths had no intention of attacking Amaewhule’s residence.
They said they only went there on a peaceful protest and expressed their displeasure with his leadership.
The IYC also alleged that one person was killed by the police bullets and many others sustained injuries.
They called for the immediate and unconditional release of the chairman of the Rivers State Youth Council, Chijioke Ihunwo, and other Ijaw youths who were arrested.
They urged the federal government to intervene in the crisis before it escalates and affects the economy of the state and the nation.
They said they would not tolerate any attempt to usurp the will of the people in a democratic system.
