Hoodlums Vandalise Agro-based Firm In Egbeda

An agro-based firm
Jocarl Ltd in Egbeda, Emohua Local Government  Area of Rivers State was Monday vandalized by some youths suspected to be hoodlumsprotesting youths over what they described as fraudulent expropriation of their land.
A spokesman for the youths, Mr. Frankline Isiah told The Tide in a phone chat  Monday  that they staged a peaceful demonstration to press home their demand for proper and fair acquisition of their farmlands.
Mr. Isiah explained that from 2004, when Akor and Fidelix, a limited  liability company registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission began to acquire  their farmlands, they had not been paid for the acquisition.
He noted that they had earlier staged a peaceful protest for which a dialogue was opened with them but expressed regrets that the dialogue had deliberately delayed with the aim of frustrating their struggle.
According to him, while the dialogue  lasted the persons indicted in the struggle were busy lobbying people to shield  them for being discovered, a  situation which ignited the recent  protest.
Mr. Isiah said that the demonstration by the concerned youths was majorly peaceful except that hoodlums who were not part of the struggle took liberty for licence caused damage to the farm.
Mr. Isiah, who is the chairman of the land youths Association thanked  the commissioner of Police, Dan Bature for his timely intervention and his willingness to mediate in the matter
He noted that crisis is  prevented when the powers that be give listening ears to the problems of their subjects.
Also speaking, the legal adviser of Jocarl Ltd, Barr. ThankGod Nmah, has flayed the youths for the wanton destruction of the company’s property.
Barr. Nmah urged the youths to enshew rancour  and bitterness and pursue dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
He told the youths not to  use violence as a means of resolving conflict but to pursue peace.

Chidi Enyie

Rivers State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Angela Agabe briefing Press men at Police Command Moscow road, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken