The Rivers State Commissioner of Police today,29th July,2024 met with various stakeholders ahead of the naton wide protest on August 1st,3024.
CP Olatunji Disu said “We just had meeting with stakeholders in the state to discuss a burning issue,that is well known all over the nation the so called protest.We had a wonderful set of attendance.Alot of our traditional rulers are here, Youth,all kind of organization you can think about is here.
“At the end of the day we want Rivers state to remain .We have discussed again and again.We have agreed that we dont want any violence.Because looking back at the ENDSARS,the violence we witnessed, the looting.We have agreed that parents should go back home and talked to their children not to be part of this.
“The Police has been trained to be very very professional and I assure, you are going to see professional Police officers that particular period.
“We are dealing with human beings,we know that there are three stages that has to do with this kind of protest.The first stage is calling everybody talking to everybody explaining to them try to make everybody to see reason why we need peace .That is why we called all stakeholders together.We have listened to them,alot of advice has come from them which we are going to implement.
“The other stage is if they want to go out for the protest what do we do,we are going to go out with them to ensure is peaceful.
“The next is if people started looting and come out with arms what do with do.All this things has been put into consideration,our officers has been trained on what to do”.
In his speech Musa Saidu Chairman of Northern community in Rivers state said “we the northernrs, we will not be part of it because property of alot of northerners were destroyed in the state the last ENDSARS protest.
NUJ Chairman in Rivers state,Stanley Job Stanley said ” is good that police is calling stakeholders to see how they can handle the protest against poverty,hunger.
“Protest is the right of everybody that wishes to express their grievances.The problem is government sponsoring people to distrupt the protest.Let police be neutral and provide security”
Idris Alabi representaive of Yoruba said “we the Yorubas we will not partake in the protest because it will be hijacked by hoodlums”
The Chairman of Igbo Community in Rivers and Bayelsa states,Sam Wokolo also said the Igbos will not be part of the protest.
On his part Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC) in Rivers state Voke Emore said “We in PCRC in Rivers state prefer town hall meeting to protest”.
Our correspondent reports that Youth,Civil Society organizations,students,women,traditional rulers we all in attendance.
Comrade Charles J Banigo,Chairman of IYC Bonny Ibani clan was also in attendance.
