Police Open Fire on Protesting Women in Delta
Police officers who were trying to push back protesters in Delta State have opened fire on the women.
They were protesting against extortion, which is a recurring issue in the Nigeria police force. Police officers who were attached to Ughelli Area Command, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State shot the women and injured many of them.
They are currently receiving treatment at some hospitals within the local government area. According to Sahara Reporters, the women gathered to protest against officers’ extortion and harassment. The protest was peaceful until the area command dispatched its officers to disperse the women.
They opened fire including teargas on the women. A community leader explained everything that transpired including events culminating to the protest and the shooting.
The president general of the community, Efe Erakpofoke Peter said, “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 teargasing 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.”
Follow us on social media
