The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has refuted claims of its troops shooting at and mistreating protesting youths and women in the Rumuekpe community of Rivers State. The allegations had arisen following protests by locals who were dissatisfied with the response of multinational companies operating in their community to their demands.
Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of the Youths and Advocacy Centre, had alleged that soldiers had shot and injured protesters, causing two individuals to be hospitalized, with another person’s whereabouts unknown. Some protesters also claimed that troops had destroyed their canopies and seized electronic equipment.
However, the acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 6 Division, Major Jonah Danjuma Jonah, issued a statement to counter these allegations. He described the incident as an attempt by miscreants posing as protesters to disrupt the peace and take the law into their own hands.
Major Danjuma emphasized that, despite the road blockade created by these individuals, the troops on routine patrol did not use firearms to disperse them. He stressed that the accusations against the army were false and malicious, reiterating that the soldiers were trained professionals who followed rules of engagement and respected citizens’ rights.
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The spokesperson stated that he had personally witnessed the situation and found no evidence to support the allegations of troops firing upon peaceful protesters. He called on the public to disregard what he termed “illogical allegations” and assured the people of Rivers State, particularly Rumuekpe, that the army would not allow criminal gangs to operate freely in the area.
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