Rivers Crisis: Community Women Barricade Airport, Passengers Stranded

Women from the Ipo community have blocked the entrance to Port Harcourt airport, leaving passengers stranded. The protest began as early as 7:30 am on Tuesday, with the women waving placards, singing, wailing, and even cooking at the airport gate.

Some of the banners displayed by the protesters bore inscriptions such as “We Demand Our Citizens Rights” and “Ipo Women Peaceful Protest.” The blockade caused significant traffic congestion, preventing passengers from accessing the airport.

This marks the second protest by the Ipo community women this year. Their previous demonstration on March 27 was quelled by Sergeant Awuse, the former Chairman of the Rivers Traditional Rulers Council.

The protest comes amidst heightened tensions, following a warning issued by the Rivers State Police Command on Monday regarding a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). In a statement released Sunday night, police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko acknowledged awareness of the planned NULGE protest, scheduled for June 24, 2024.

“The Rivers State Police Command has become aware of the planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), scheduled for June 24, 2024. While the Command recognizes and respects the right to lawful assembly, it has credible intelligence that this protest will be infiltrated and hijacked by hoodlums seeking to cause disruption and mayhem within the State. Consequently, the Command strongly advises the organisers to suspend the planned protest to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. The Police will take all necessary lawful measures to protect the lives and properties of every resident in Rivers State. The Command has vowed to apprehend and prosecute any person or group that attempts to disrupt the peace,” the statement read in part.

To ensure public safety and security, Rivers State Commissioner of Police CP Olatunji Disu has deployed officers to the secretariats of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain in their respective locations until the threat of disruption of peace is deemed to have ceased,” added the statement.

Following the police warning, NULGE has since shelved its planned protest.