On Tuesday, a situation unfolded as the police thwarted an assault by Ijaw youths at the residence of Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The incident resulted in injuries to most of the youths who had entered Amaewhule’s residence.
Amaewhule, along with 24 members of the House of Assembly, opposed the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and initiated proceedings for his impeachment.
Initially, the youths were observed gathering at the entrance of the building, but they later attempted to forcefully breach the gate and enter the compound.
In a video that went viral, Amb Ihunwo Chijioke, the Chairman of the Nigeria Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, could be seen leading the protest and referring to Amaewhule as a former speaker. Chijioke issued a threat that the youths would set the house on fire if the Speaker did not vacate the residence within two hours.
He stated: “Dear Rivers youths, we are here because the former Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has been impeached. We are here as Rivers youths to demand that he vacate his official residence because he has been impeached. If he refuses, we will destroy this building because it was constructed using funds from Rivers State. He has been suspended and should return to his own house. We have a new speaker, Edison Ehie. I urge everyone to stay calm because they must leave.”
Confirming the incident, Bedford Benjamin, the spokesman for the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, asserted that the youths did not have intentions of attacking Amaewhule’s residence.
Bedford condemned the sporadic shooting of peaceful protesters at the location of the factional speaker in Rivers State. He reported that one person was feared dead as a result of the shooting, and many others sustained gunshot wounds and various degrees of injuries.
He demanded the unconditional release of the chairman of the Rivers State Youth Council and numerous Ijaw youths who were being unlawfully arrested and detained. Bedford emphasized that peaceful protests are protected by the law, and individuals attempting to subvert the will of the people would face resistance from the people.
He urged those responsible for maintaining peace and stability in the state not to engage in political games in the performance of their duties, as it could lead to further perilous outcomes.
Bedford called on the federal government to intervene immediately before the situation disrupts the state’s economy and, by extension, the nation. He stressed that such levels of civil criminality are unacceptable in a democratic system.