The protest that rocked parts of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday has taken a fresh twist following the revelation by the local government that the man reportedly killed in a recent incident is alive and currently receiving medical treatment.

Some aggrieved drivers plying the Rumuokoro/Choba axis of the East West road barricaded the Obiri Ikwerre section of the road over claims that officials of the state Taskforce allegedly killed one of their colleagues.

The council, which described reports of the death as false and misleading, said it had assumed responsibility for the man’s medical bills.

The disclosure was made during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, and represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, as authorities moved to douse tension arising from the protest.

The meeting brought together the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other stakeholders to address the circumstances surrounding the protest and prevent the situation from escalating.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Vice Chairman of the NURTW, Comrade Iyke Olu, said the union had no involvement in the incident that triggered the protest.

Olu, however, assured the council that the union would work with relevant authorities to bring the protest to an end and restore normalcy.

Another union official, Comrade Julius, condemned the spread of what he described as misinformation, accusing those fuelling the protest with unverified claims of attempting to undermine the efforts of the local government and the transport union.

He urged residents to disregard narratives capable of heightening tension in the area.

The Head of Local Government Administration, Sunny Worlu, called on the union leadership and task force to strengthen sensitisation among their members and improve communication to prevent misinformation from escalating into conflict.

He stressed the need for discipline, effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders to sustain peace and order across the local government area.

The council appealed to residents to remain calm and rely on verified information as efforts continue to restore normalcy.

The development has shifted attention from the alleged death that sparked the protest to the spread of misinformation, with authorities warning that unverified reports could further inflame tensions in the area. (Guardian)