One killed as soldiers attack protesters in Rivers

Soldiers attached to Greenville Mul­tinational Oil Company have alleg­edly killed a civilian in front of the company in Rumuji Community, Emohua Local Govern­ment Area of Rivers State, while trying to stop youths from car­rying on the protest against the firm.

Youths from Rumuji had blocked the com­pany’s gates yesterday morning, to protest the alleged neglect of the host community in a areas of employment and development.

The AUTHORITY learnt that at least three persons were hit by bul­lets from the security operatives during the protest embarked open by youths from Rumuji.

The angry youths had stormed the prem­ises of the company to register their grievanc­es over alleged unfair treatment by the man­agement.

It was gathered that one Chizam Nyeche, Nna Aloha and others whose names were not ascertained, were hit by stray bullets as the soldiers who mounted guard at the company’s premises opened fire to scare the protesters.

Some of the protest­ers who were still agi­tated after the shooting said that they decided to mobilise for the pro­test over unemploy­ment of the youths and under payment of a few of the youths employed by the firm.

Meanwhile, the Pres­ident of Land Owners Youths Association, Chikordi Ojims, has ac­cused the company of refusing to review the terms and conditions in which they acquired a plot of the land for N5,500.

Meantime, the Ru­muji Divisional Police headquarters has en­gaged the youths and the company in a meet­ing.

Representatives of the company declined to speak on the devel­opment.