Residents of Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, have protested the alleged killing of an indigene.
The victim, Nchelem Samuel Festus, who was allegedly stabbed during a confrontation with a commercial motorcyclist, said to be from the North.
Reports indicate that Festus had allegedly taken a motorcycle from a shop, and during attempts to retrieve it, a disagreement turned violent. He later died from injuries sustained in the attack.
The incident, which occurred on February 10, triggered protests by youths who accused commercial motorcycle riders of being responsible not only for Festus’ death but also for other alleged crimes in the area.
Demonstrators blocked the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, demanding a ban on commercial motorcycle operations by riders from the North, the closure of scrap dump sites, and the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing. They also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to security agencies to address their demands.
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As tensions rose, traders were reportedly attacked in parts of Port Harcourt, with goods looted and destroyed. Though no fatalities were recorded during the protests, community leaders say properties and farm produce worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost.
The altercation in Igwuruta spiralled into protests and the destruction of goods worth hundreds of millions of naira in parts of Port Harcourt.
Responding to the situation, the Chairman of the Hausa Community in Rivers State, Musa Saidu, condemned the killing but cautioned against criminalising an entire ethnic group over the actions of an individual.
Saidu described the incident as a misunderstanding that turned fatal and urged security agencies to investigate and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law. Saidu appealed for calm, stressing that many of those affected were ordinary traders and small business owners struggling to make a living.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, has called on youths to maintain peace and avoid further breakdown of law and order. As part of measures to strengthen security, he announced a temporary restriction on commercial motorcycle operations in the area.
The directive, which takes effect from February 12, 2026, runs daily from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for one month, aimed at preventing further incidents and restoring stability.
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