Despite their peaceful intentions, the women were rebuffed, attacked, tear-gassed, and shot at, resulting in various degrees of injury
Chaos erupted on Monday as policemen at the Ughelli Area Command in Delta State opened fire on protesting women, leaving many injured and hospitalized.
The women from the Oteri-Ughelli community had gathered to peacefully protest against police extortion and harassment, but were met with violence upon arrival at the area command.
Despite their peaceful intentions, the women were rebuffed, attacked, tear-gassed, and shot at, resulting in various degrees of injury. According to Harvest Ugbhwiako and Mrs. Vivian Aphiare, representatives of the protesting women, the police had unlawfully arrested and detained their children and wards, demanding bribes of N150,000 to N200,000 for their release.
The president general of the community, Efe Erakpofoke Peter, condemned the police action, stating that the women were exercising their right to peaceful protest and register their grievances with the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom and the area commander.
“The area commander called me to appeal to my people to go home that he would look into their complaints but before that what we heard next was that police started shooting and teargassing the protesting women leaving many with injuries. The women embarked on the protest following the incessant police extortion and bribes from their children doing legal business of Okada transportation.
“Again, once you come out of the community to Ughelli main town once is 8pm you cannot get motorcycles or tricycles to carry you because of the police extortion, our mothers and women will trek home from the Ughelli main market every day because of the police harassment and extortion on the motorists.
“Recently the police embarked on incessant arrest and vandalisation of houses belonging to the youths of the community and carted away their personal belongings, detailed them, and collected a huge amount of money from them without offense.
“The actions of Nigeria police in Ughelli contravene the police practice and are inhumane, our community is a peaceful community and law-abiding citizens, stop making life difficult for us, you are making life difficult for these poor and innocent citizens,” the community leader alleged.
Meanwhile when contacted, the Ughelli Area commander, ACP Adebayo said his office was already looking into the complaints of the community with a view to sanctioning any police officer found wanting, adding that he had also disbanded a squad of hunters in the command.
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