Police Commissioner Cracks Down On Pro–Amaechi Supporters, One Person Shot

Police teargas protesters

By SaharaReporters, New York

One person has been reported shot today and teargas fired into the Rivers State governor’s lodge as the police commissioner  of Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Mbu cracked down on supporters of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
This follows yesterday’s events in which five lawmakers loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience failed to impeach the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The “funny five” had also tried to “elect” a new Speaker from among them.
Several supporters of the governor and the 27 lawmakers loyal to him had arrived in Port Harcourt from several local government areas to form a human shield against the five lawmakers and their “Speaker” after rumors spread that the police commissioner had provided security for them to meet in the House of Assembly early today.
Several of the supporters arrived at the Assembly but were quickly chased away by a police detachment on guard, but as soon as the crowd heard the lawmakers were moving towards the place, they returned en masse. Their return enraged the police who began shooting teargas and live bullets at the crowd.
In the pandemonium that ensued, several of the protesters ran towards the governor’s lodge. They were pursued by the police who then shot canisters of teargas into the governor’s residential area.
One person was hurt, and was later taken to St. Clariton Hospital in a government house vehicle.
President Goodluck jonathan who is on a state visit to China reportedly gave the order for the removal of Governor Amaechi before his return.
Interestingly, today, July 10, marks the 10th year anniversary of the invasion and abduction of Governor Ngige of Anambra State by forces loyal to then President Olusegun Obasanjo.