Amidst the escalating political tensions in Rivers State, women from the IPO community have initiated a blockade at the Port Harcourt International Airport, leading to major disruptions and stranded passengers.
The women were actively blocking the airport entrance as of Tuesday morning. Numerous cars carrying passengers were seen queued up, unable to enter the airport. Some women brought cooking pots, firewood, and ingredients, and were seen pounding items in mortars at the entrance.
Although the women had not spoken to the press at the time of filing this report, they were heard talking loudly among themselves.
The Rivers State Police Command had previously warned against a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has become aware of the planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), scheduled for June 24, 2024. While the Command recognizes and respects the right to lawful assembly, it has credible intelligence that this protest will be infiltrated and hijacked by hoodlums seeking to cause disruption and mayhem within the State.”
She continued, “Consequently, the Command strongly advises the organisers to suspend the planned protest to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. The Police will take all necessary lawful measures to protect the lives and properties of every resident in Rivers State. The Command has vowed to apprehend and prosecute any person or group that attempts to disrupt the peace.”
To ensure public safety, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to the secretariats of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain in their respective locations until the threat of disruption of peace is deemed to have ceased,” the statement added.
Following the police warning, NULGE later canceled their planned protest.
See photos below:
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