PROTEST ERUPTS IN RIVERS COMMUNITY AS POLICE OFFICER SHOOTS MAN DEAD

A protest has broken out in the Omagwa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the alleged extra-judicial killing of a youth by a police officer.

The incident occurred when a policeman attached to the Omagwa Division of the Rivers State Police Command reportedly shot and killed Chikuma Egbule, a native of the community.

The killing immediately triggered protests in the area, which also serves as a host community to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The protesters initially carried the body of the slain youth to the Omagwa Divisional Police Station but were met with resistance from officers on duty.

Unable to gain access, they blocked the road in protest, causing heavy gridlock on the busy highway leading to the airport and Owerri, Imo State.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the officer responsible for the shooting had been arrested, and the victim’s body had been deposited at the morgue.

“The command is aware, and the CP is on top of the situation. Normalcy has now been restored, and adequate security is present on the ground to prevent any breach of peace,” she said in a WhatsApp message.

“The corpse has been deposited at the morgue while the police officers have been detained while an investigation is ongoing.”