The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 122 youths allegedly engaged in the invasion of the official residence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, during a protest in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The demonstrators were reported to be led by Chijioke Ihunwo, the State Chairman of the National Youths Council of Nigeria.
This revelation came from the State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, through a statement issued on Wednesday.
The statement was signed by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko.
According to the police statement, the youths forcefully entered the residence of the Speaker, situated at Forces Avenue in the Old GRA district of Port Harcourt, to commit a felony.
During this intrusion, the gate of the residence was damaged.
In response to the situation, the statement noted that enhanced security measures have been implemented at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, as well as at the Speaker’s residence and various key locations and infrastructure throughout the state.
These measures are aimed at averting any potential disruptions to the public order.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, around 11:30 am, arrested some youths led by Chijioke Ihunwo, who, with intent to commit a felony, went to the official residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, located at Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, where they forcefully gained entrance into the Speaker’s residence and maliciously damaged the gate of the house.
“While they were carrying out their nefarious activities at the scene, a distress call was received by the control room of the command, tactical teams were immediately deployed to the scene, where 122 suspects, including the said Chijioke Ihunwo were arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Port Harcourt for discrete investigation.”
