By Emma Obe
A riot broke out at Nkpogu, one of the suburbs of Port Harcourt on Monday, when youths and shop owners in the area went on rampage to protest the destruction of goods and property of traders in the area by members of the Task Force on Illegal Motor Marks and Markets.
A source said that members of the task force had destroyed goods and property in shops in the area to enforce the ban on illegal street trading.
In reaction, the rioters blocked all the major roads passing through the area, set bonfires on the roads and diverted traffic from the area. Many vehicles were vandalized in the process. Sporadic gunshots were also fired by the protesting youths, who dared anyone to confront them.
The riots caused heavy traffic on the busy Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout and the adjoining Peter Odili Road.
President Buhari’s speech was nothing but the reading of a military riot act
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, told our correspondent that he would have to get a signal from the Divisional Police Officer in the area before he could speak on the matter.
