The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three individuals for stealing point-of-sale machines and vehicle wipers, all while pretending to protest against hunger and bad governance. The state Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, addressed journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, expressing dismay over how the protest had been hijacked by miscreants.
Disu, who assessed the protest’s impact across various parts of the state, lamented that the original organisers had lost control. The police, he said, couldn’t sit back and watch as thugs took over. “I assure you, I will investigate what has occurred. However, I am aware that hoodlums have hijacked this protest. They have many individuals with them harassing members of the public. About an hour ago, we arrested three people who were stealing POS machines among the protesters.”
He continued, “We also have thugs stealing wipers from vehicles and attempting to set tyres alight. The police have been responding promptly to extinguish these fires. These individuals are not genuine protesters; they are thugs who might have joined the protest or infiltrated it. I promise to investigate further and provide feedback on what I find.”
Disu noted that the protest had veered off its original intent, with splinter groups now using the guise of protest to wreak havoc. “The situation has changed. The protest has evolved from its original purpose. Groups are now moving around the town, blocking roads, coercing people to join them, and even threatening to shut down businesses.”
He expressed surprise at the escalation, despite efforts by female police officers to maintain order. “A lot of my Divisional Police Officers are women, and they have been using their empathetic approach in their duties. They have built positive relationships with the protesters, offering water and biscuits. However, the protest has grown too large for the organisers to manage.”
Disu also highlighted an internal conflict among the protesters, leading to a split into three groups that have since roamed the town, harassing traders and threatening those who don’t comply with their demands.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Protesting against bad governance and hunger is one thing, but when the movement gets taken over by criminals, it loses all credibility. The police are left trying to distinguish between genuine protesters and those looking to cause trouble. The real question is, how do we keep the spirit of protest alive without letting it descend into chaos? Perhaps better organisation and more stringent measures to keep out the bad elements are needed. For now, the police are on high alert, trying to restore order and keep the streets safe.
