Clash in Rivers: Police repel attack on Speaker Amaewhule’s residence

In a recent incident that sparked chaos in Rivers State, police officers had to fend off an attack by a group of Ijaw youths at the home of the Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martins Amaewhule. The clash left several of the young protesters injured as they tried to gain entry into the speaker’s residence.

The cause of this turmoil stems from the political turmoil within the state. Amaewhule, along with 24 other members of the House of Assembly, had opposed the current state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and pushed for his impeachment. This disagreement has fueled tensions within the region.

Initially, the youths had gathered outside the entrance to the building, but they later attempted to forcefully enter the compound by trying to pull down the gate. In a widely circulated video, the Chairman of the Nigeria Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, Amb Ihunwo Chijioke, could be seen leading the protest and referring to Amaewhule as a former speaker. He issued a warning, stating that the youths would set the house on fire if the Speaker did not vacate the residence within two hours.

Chijioke expressed, “Greatest Rivers youths, we are here because the former Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has been impeached. We are here as Rivers youths to tell him to vacate his official residence because he has been impeached. If not, we are going to destroy this building because it was built with Rivers State money. He has been suspended and should go back to his house. We have a new speaker, Edison Ehie. I appeal to everybody to remain calm because they must leave.”

Confirming the situation, Bedford Benjamin, spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, emphasized that the intention of the youth protesters was not to attack Amaewhule’s residence. Bedford strongly condemned the reported shooting of peaceful protesters, which resulted in injuries and possibly a fatality. He also called for the unconditional release of the chairman of the Rivers State Youth Council and the numerous detained Ijaw youths.

Peaceful protests, according to Bedford, are protected by law, and anyone attempting to undermine the will of the people will face resistance. He urged law enforcement authorities to act impartially and not allow political considerations to disrupt the peace in the state.

Furthermore, the IYC called on the federal government to intervene immediately to prevent any escalation of violence that could harm the state’s economy and, by extension, the nation. Such levels of civil unrest are a cause for concern within a democratic system.