Breaking: Rivers Youths Demand Police Action, Declare Self-Defense Against Fulani Killings

DDM News

Rivers, Nigeria – Hundreds of youths from Rivers State, operating under the Coalition of Rivers State Youth Bodies and the South‑South Youths Initiative, marched through Port Harcourt on Tuesday to protest deadly attacks on their kinsmen by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the protest began at UTC junction around 9 am, proceeding first to the Department of State Services headquarters in the Old GRA and then to the Nigeria Police Command on Moscow Road to voice their grievances.

The protesters carried placards stating messages like “Police take action against Fulani herdsmen in Ogoni,” “Police intervene for Ogoni people,” and “Injury to one is injury to all, act now, police.”

They accused the police of inaction, noting that their attempt to reach Moscow Road was blocked by anti‑riot officers and security vehicles.

The demonstration responds to a series of attacks in Ogoniland, including in Nyokuru, Ebubu, Sogho, and Ue‑ken, which have reportedly resulted in numerous casualties among the Ogoni community.

Coalition Chairman and National President of the South‑South Youths Initiative, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, told police officials that instead of arresting suspects, security authorities had advised Ogoni youths to “dialogue” with herdsmen.

Oscar described how, during a meeting with the State Intelligence Bureau, youths were told the Commissioner of Police was “too tired” to address them and that they should return home.

Reading the protest’s demands, Oscar insisted on the immediate eviction of all Fulani herdsmen from Ogoniland, warning that future attacks would prompt self‑defense by the community.

He declared, “We demand justice and accountability for the victims, and if ignored, we will no longer run to the police, we will defend ourselves.”

Coalition spokesperson Tamuno Belema, from Okrika, joined the protest in solidarity, remarking that today’s attacks on Ogoni could easily spread to other communities.

He criticised authorities for advising dialogue, calling it unacceptable, and suggested the herdsmen are protected due to powerful backers, asserting, “One cow appears to be worth more than 200 lives.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police Alhassan Kawu urged protesters against violent action and said the police command had held stakeholder meetings with both herdsmen and affected communities.

Assistant Commissioner Iyke Okoro confirmed ongoing operations in the Agbonchia Forest and information meetings across LGAs, encouraging residents to share tips with law enforcement.

The protest ended peacefully, though tension remains in Ogoniland, residents fear future attacks if no decisive action is taken.

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