On the second day of protests against poor governance in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, tensions sharply increased.
According to reports from Vanguard, the situation escalated significantly when police at the Otovwodo axis of the East-West road allegedly shot and wounded an unidentified protester.
The confrontation occurred as demonstrators, who were carrying placards and moving towards the Otovwodo junction, faced police resistance. Witnesses observed that the police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, which led to chaos as protesters responded by throwing sachet water at the officers.
One protester described the events to the publication, stating, "We were holding only placards when the police suddenly confronted us and began using tear gas. As the police fired tear gas, we threw sachet water at them. During their retreat, the police opened fire on us, and one person was shot in the chest." This account highlights the abrupt shift from a peaceful protest to a violent clash and the growing frustration of the demonstrators.
Comrade Silver, a Human Rights Activist who witnessed the events, elaborated, "This morning, the protest was entirely peaceful. We were advising the protesters to remain calm to prevent any looting by troublemakers. I observed a police van pursuing a Mercedes 4matic car, blocking it and releasing tear gas inside. When the police tried to detain a young man from the car, I intervened and managed to secure his release." Silver's account underscores the peaceful nature of the protest initially and the escalation triggered by police actions.
Silver further noted, "As the protesters began to leave, another police vehicle arrived and insisted on arresting the young man. Market women responded by throwing water and stones at the police, prompting them to use both tear gas and live ammunition. I later learned that a person was shot, and the Army transported him to a hospital. The specific hospital is unknown, but gunshots were definitely involved." This statement details the sequence of events that led to the violent response and the Army's involvement in aiding the injured protester.
The injured protester was taken to a hospital by security personnel, though his current condition remains unknown. This incident has intensified tensions in Ughelli North, with increasing demands for justice and accountability.
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