Rivers Women Protest Alleged Indiscriminate Arrests In Ogoni Community

Women of Taabaa Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have staged a peaceful protest over what they described as illegal and indiscriminate arrests of indigenes by security agencies in the area.

The protesters, who marched through major roads in the community carrying placards with various inscriptions, later proceeded to the Taabaa Divisional Police Headquarters to register their grievances.

Speaking at the police division, the women leader of Barasi-Taabaa Community, Chief Joyce Nule, said residents could no longer sleep peacefully due to what she described as persistent intimidation and arrests of innocent persons.

According to her, the ongoing arrests have created tension in the community and left women and mothers deeply worried about the safety of their families.

“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed due to incessant arrest and intimidation by security agencies,” Nule said.

She called on the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the state government to intervene, saying the arrest of youths and traditional leaders was causing growing unrest in the community.

Nule maintained that the community should not be held responsible for an alleged crime committed elsewhere, involving an attempted murder of King Suanu Baridam of Bangha Kingdom.

“What the Taabaa people are passing through in recent time, we the mothers, we are no longer comfortable with it, that’s why we have cried out this morning,” she said.

She further argued that if the police had need of any individuals, they should be invited properly for questioning rather than subjected to indiscriminate arrest and alleged intimidation.

The women leader also recalled previous arrests of some chiefs and indigenes over the same matter, noting that they were later released after no wrongdoing was established.

Addressing the protesters, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Taabaa Division, CSP Chika Elo, urged residents to seek redress through appropriate channels if they experience any form of abuse or rights violations by security operatives.

He clarified that the division was not responsible for the arrests being complained about and also frowned at allegations of torture, noting that such acts are not condoned by the Inspector-General of Police.

Elo encouraged the community to formally report any proven cases of misconduct and pursue compensation or enforcement of their rights where necessary.

The protest highlights rising tensions in parts of Ogoni communities over security operations, as residents continue to call for transparency, due process and protection of civil rights during ongoing investigations.