By Tony John, Port Harcourt
A journalist from a popular privately owned radio station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is in pain from a dislocated leg. This happened on Monday when police officers used tear gas on protesting youths. Another journalist, working for a prominent television station, was arrested during the protest’s peak.
He was later released after showing identification.
One journalist, whose name is withheld, said the trouble started when officers saw they were being filmed. Not knowing the journalists’ identities, they fired tear gas canisters directly at them. He called the police approach war-like and harsh.
“It was while running for safety that my leg hit a hard object, causing the dislocation,” he told Daily Sun. The incident occurred near the CFC Bus Stop in the state capital.
The protest began peacefully. Members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’ gathered at Isaac Boro Park and marched towards the CFC flyover. Suddenly, police chased them with tear gas. This affected both protesters and journalists, sparking chaos as everyone fled in different directions.
A protester told officers, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather; we are Rivers people.” They had informed the Rivers State Police Command about the demonstration in a letter dated 3 April 2025. Another protester said it was a “peaceful protest” to share their concerns with the government. Yet, heavy police presence met them at the park.
Meanwhile, the police deny firing on protesters or using tear gas to break them up. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, issued a statement in Port Harcourt. She said officers only dispersed miscreants stealing from the public, not protesters.
“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of the false story currently circulating on various social media platforms alleging that police officers opened fire on protesters and used tear gas to disperse them on Monday, April 7, 2025, around Abali Park and the Federal Secretariat Complex, Aba Road,” Iringe-Koko stated.
“The Command wishes to categorically clarify that the report is unfounded. Upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, our officers were promptly deployed to the specified locations. On arrival, a group of miscreants was observed engaging in criminal acts, including the theft of mobile phones and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public. Our operatives responded swiftly, dispersing the individuals.”
She added that social media reports aimed to cause panic and distrust. “This baseless story appears to be a deliberate fabrication by mischief-makers seeking to incite public anxiety and create unnecessary tension within the state,” she said.
Iringe-Koko urged people to ignore these claims and feel safe. “The Rivers State Police Command strongly condemns this act of misinformation and warns individuals or groups behind the spread of such falsehoods to desist immediately. Disseminating unverified and misleading information poses a serious threat to public peace and security,” she warned.
She reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property fairly. Plus, she encouraged the public to report issues via official police contact lines.