Rivers State Boundary Closure: Police Fires Teargas at Citizens, Five Persons Drown in Oyigo River

Meanwhile, there is an issue here in Rivers State that we need to investigate further. I didn't include it in the update here because I am still following it up.

On Sunday, March 29 after the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike announced the closure of boundaries into Rivers State, many people were stranded at the boundaries. At the IMO River axis from Abia State, some young people who were returning from Aba but were not allowed into the State by the Police decided to go through the bush around and paid the canoe people that dive sand from the IMO River to take them across into Oyigbo so that they can journey into  Port Harcourt.

As they were being crossed on the river, the Police got to know and shot teargas at them. Five ladies, one of the said to be pregnant was caught up in the teargas and they fell into the River and drowned. Some members of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) One Million Youth Volunteers Network in the area reported the matter to me on Tuesday, March 31. Another person also called and reported the next day that the Police is covering it up. I am working on establishing contacts with the families and properly investigate this matter before we take it up.--