Godwin Udoh
There was tension, in Asaba, on Tuesday, as youths in their thousands formed a human barricade at the entrance to the Delta State Government House along Anwai Road, in the state capital, demanding an audience with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The protesting youths trooped to the streets to add their voices to the campaign against the now disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).
The human barricade which they formed at the entrance to the seat of power halted movement in and out of the Government House.
They were not deterred by the torrential rains which drenched them for several hours.
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Addressing the protesters, Governor Okowa acknowledged that citizens had the right to protest against any case of perceived wrong in the society, but cautioned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law.
He said that the reported killing of a policeman and injuring of another officer of the Police Force during the #ENDSARSNOW protests in Ughelli area of the state on Thursday was disheartening, and advised that citizens should eschew taking laws into their hands.
The governor sued for calm and urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the issues and fish out those who turned a peaceful protest into violence.
Security operatives maintained safe distance to avoid confrontation with the youths, who allegedly demanded to be mobilised before vacating the place.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the youths rejected N2 million that was allegedly made available to them as transport, demanding that the amount should be upgraded to N20 million.