Police Abort Civil Society Protest In P/Harcourt

L-R: Hon. Odebunm; Hon. Ifedayo;Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Depot Manager, Enugu Engr. Ojo Adebayo and Hon Nnanna. Igbokwe in a discusion, during an oversight visit of members of the House Committee on Petroleum Resource Downstream to Enugu Depot of Pipeline Products Marketing Company

A mass protest planned by the coalition of civil society  organisations in Rivers State against the on-going political impunity and the festering impasse in Rivers State has been aborted by the Rivers State command of the Nigeria Police
The rally was billed to attract notable personalities and civil rights activists such as professor Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, Professor Emmanuel, Odin Kalu and Olisa Agbakoba, among others.
The Tide learnt that the protesters were, however, chased away by a team of mobile policemen at the Liberation Stadium where they had gathered to begin the protest as early as 7.30am while police armoured vehicle and stern-looking policemen were placed at strategic  locations across the city.
Leader of the coalition, Barrister Anyakwe Nsirimovu in an interview with newsmen described the police action as an infringement on the rights of Rivers people to peaceful protest.
Barrister Nsirimovu also vowed that the group will resist all forms of intimidation by the police in the defence of democracy and the fundamental rights of Rivers people.
He said that the action by the police was a clear indication that the police has taken sides in the crisis in the state.
However, in a telephone interview with The Tide, the state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mrs Angela Agabe justified the action of the police, stressing that it was in line with the ban placed on public procession in the state.
Mrs Agabe said that the coalition did not obtain the permission of the police for the protest, stressing that in as much as the ban is still in force, nobody will be allowed to protest irrespective of his status in the society.