A protest has broken out in the Omagwa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the extra-judicial killing of a young man by a police officer.
The incident occurred when a policeman attached to the Omagwa Division of the Rivers State Police Command shot and killed Chikuma Egbule, a native of the community.
His death immediately sparked demonstrations in Omagwa, which is also home to the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Tensions Rise as Protesters Block Highway
Angered by the killing, protesters attempted to take the victim’s body to the Omagwa Divisional Police Station but were repelled by officers on duty. In response, they blocked the road, leading to gridlock on the busy highway connecting Port Harcourt to Owerri in Imo State.
Police Respond to Unrest
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the officer responsible had been arrested and that the victim’s body had been taken to the morgue.
“The command is aware, and the CP is on top of the situation. Normalcy has now been restored, and adequate security is in place to prevent any further unrest,” she said in a WhatsApp message.
She added that the officer involved had been detained and that an investigation was underway.