Tension flared in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday as police officers reportedly fired shots at protesting women, leaving several injured and requiring hospitalization.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the commotion erupted when women from Oteri-Ughelli community gathered to demonstrate against alleged police extortion and harassment.
Despite their peaceful intent, the protesters were met with resistance upon reaching the Ughelli Area Command, where they were allegedly subjected to tear gas and gunfire by officers.
Representatives of the protesting women, Harvest Ugbhwiako and Mrs. Vivian Aphiare, accused the police of unlawfully arresting and detaining their children, demanding hefty sums—ranging from N150,000 to N200,000—for their release.
Expressing condemnation of the police’s actions, Efe Erakpofoke Peter, the president-general of the community, denounced the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
He highlighted the ongoing grievances regarding police extortion and harassment, emphasizing the adverse impact on residents’ daily lives.
“The actions of the Nigeria police in Ughelli are inhumane and violate established policing norms,” Peter asserted. “Our community is peaceful, and its citizens are law-abiding.
“The police must cease their oppressive tactics and stop making life difficult for innocent citizens.”
In response to the incident, the Ughelli Area Commander, ACP Adebayo, assured that investigations were underway into the community’s complaints.
He pledged to take disciplinary action against any officer found culpable and announced the disbandment of a squad of hunters within the command.
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