Tension rose in Port Harcourt on Tuesday as youths from Ogoni communities took to the streets to protest against the recent killing of several Ogoni natives, allegedly by suspected herdsmen.

The demonstrators, under the banner of the South-South Youth Initiative, marched from major streets in the state capital to the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters, bearing placards with bold inscriptions such as “Stop the Killings in Ogoni” and “Police Intervene in the Killings of Ogoni People.”

Their mission: to submit a formal petition to the police and demand urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives in their communities.

No more silence

Leading the protest was Saviour Oscar, Director of the South-South Youth Initiative. Addressing the press and security officials, Oscar decried what he described as continuous attacks on peaceful Ogoni residents and the silence of law enforcement authorities

Our people are being killed, and no one is being held accountable. We demand immediate arrests and prosecution,” Oscar stated during the protest.

Police responds

The protesters were received by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Alhassan Kawu, who assured the group that their grievances would be formally delivered to the Commissioner of Police.

“We have heard your demands and will ensure your petition gets to the right quarters,” he said.

However, tensions briefly escalated when the youth leader challenged the DCP on the lack of arrests or visible action from the police. Video footage shows a heated exchange between the protest leaders and police representatives.

In response, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Iyke Okoro, stepped in to calm nerves and assured the protesters that operations are already underway to address the situation in Ogoniland.

“There are ongoing security efforts targeted at apprehending those responsible. We understand your pain and are working towards restoring peace,” ACP Okoro said.

Self-defense

The protesters warned that if the killings continue unchecked, communities may be forced to resort to self-defense measures.

The peaceful demonstration has once again drawn national attention to the fragile security situation in parts of Rivers State, especially in rural areas where locals allege rising attacks by herdsmen.

Ogoni leaders and residents are now calling on both state and federal authorities to intensify security operations in the region and bring perpetrators to justice before the situation escalates further. (Channels TV)