…As Traffic Jam Builds Up Amid Illegal Roadblocks
Rivers State and indeed Port Harcourt city has had its own share of the simmering crisis from the #ENDSARS protests across the country which is yet to settle in some cases , just as police in the state and other security agents have deserted the major roads, following attacks on police stations in the wake of demonstrations. Many are now anxious over the state of widespread insecurity which the absence of Nigerian Police force has foisted on members of the public.
A survey by the National Network indicates that, following the imposition of curfew in Diobu, Mile One, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikokwu, Illoabuchi, and the entire Oyigbo LGAs, by the executive governor of Rivers State, Chief Barrister Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, who swung into action to prevent further criminality in the form of killings, looting and destruction of police stations by criminal elements who acted under the guise of demonstrators to wreak havoc in the state, some level of peace may have been restored, but not totally in the absence of police to maintain law and order in the public.
But the virulent attacks on some police stations in the state with alleged threats to spread the wave of destructions to others across the state must have made officers and men of the force to let down their guards thereby avoiding the public in the daily conduct of their activities . The fears generated by the reign of terror leading to attack of the Mile One Divisional Police station but was repelled, while those in at Oyigbo Area Command, Oyigbo division and Afam Divisional police stations were not spared as the police stations lost three of its men to the bullets from hoodlums, alleged to be some members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB agitators, according to the Rivers State Police Command. The death of three policemen was confirmed by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan.
And, sequel to the absence of policemen around town, especially on major roads in Port Harcourt, it has been one traffic chaos or the other, in addition to hoodlums taking charge of administration and control of road intersections . The ‘boys’ were seen mounting one road block or the other which put them in control bo to levy private and commercial vehicles especially.
Our checks reveal that from Mile 3 to other interior roads in Diobu, Mile I, street boys took advantage to extort motorists, sometimes under the guise of controlling traffic. Although commercial drivers tried many times to resist the levies, they had no choice than to succumb to pressure if they must continue in business.
At the popular Education bus stop in Mile 1, it was another spectacle entirely as commercial vehicles were barred from plying the roads up to the bus stop. Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDS were visibly present and were aided by men of the Diobu vigilante group to ensure order and normalcy around the major road. In the absence of a thorough fare to and fro Ikwerre road from Mile I, commercial bus and taxi drivers explored alternative routes through Ojoto, Abakaliki and Udi streets where their passengers alight to allow them make a detour for another journey on the road.
It is pertinent to note that since the police have left the public glare, there have equally been a surge in petty theft and other forms of criminality in the city and its suburbs. Many have reported loss of valuable items such as handsets (phones), money and other possessions to criminal elements who now capitalize on the prevailing situation.
Speaking on the development, a bus passenger, Moses Achor, recalled how difficult it was without the presence of policemen on the roads. He lamented that there had been loss of order and confidence among the populace. He expressed fear that the situation may degenerate without the police.
Another resident, Tony Jaja, stated that the absence of police on the roads has deepen fear of insecurity. He argued that this may not be unconnected with limited movement of the people on the roads, most especially at night. He also lamented high rate of traffic jam occasioned by lack of traffic control in major and strategic points. But, he expressed optimism that the situation would return to normal by weekend.
Further checks also reveal that the public anxiously await the return of police officers to their duty posts as against the backdrop of the order by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP for the police to take charge and ensure order..
When contacted on phone about the absence of policemen on major roads in Port Harcourt and its environs, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, SP. Nnamdi Omoni expressed surprise at the news and intoned ‘they are killing us now’. He promised to call back but never did as at the time of filing this report.
It could be recalled that reports of police brutality across the country has brought the Nigerian youth together to stage a protest codenamed #ENDSARS which was largely successful within few days of its commencement until the movement was hijacked by those perceived to be hoodlums who now resorted to looting and engaging in acts of criminality across the country.
