President-General of Eruemukohwarien community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Godwin Anigboro, has narrated how security operatives opened fire on peaceful protesters during a demonstration at the Ughelli Pumping Station of OML 34.
Speaking on Tuesday after residents staged a follow-up protest against the alleged brutality, where they set up bonfires across major roads in the community, Anigboro said the women, who had trooped out on Monday to demand better welfare for indigenous workers and development of the host community, were dispersed with teargas and live bullets.
“OML 34 shouldn’t have called the police on the women. I think there are leaders; they should call us for engagement and dialogue, instead of calling the police to come and brutalize the women.
“If you take your video, you will see wounded women. Some of them were injured in the shoulder. I left the hospital with a few of them around 3 am yesterday night,” he said.
The president general condemned the incident, describing it as an unnecessary provocation that turned a peaceful demonstration into chaos.
“As long as this is my community and the people here are not fairly treated, I will stand for peace.
“I expect dialogue between the government and the company to address the hazards these activities are introducing to our people.
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“If not for this facility, do you think police would come and shoot at people here? No. So, if the workers are not properly treated, these are the results,” Anigboro added.
He stressed that the community had been left to bear the hazards of oil operations without commensurate benefits, saying the action of security personnel was proof of the injustice meted out to his people.
The protesters, mostly women, had regrouped on Tuesday to march against the assault and demand the release of community leaders arrested during the Monday crackdown.
Meanwhile, the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Jaro Egbo, who visited the scene, described the actions of the security operatives as “uncalled for” and promised to convene a meeting with the oil company on Friday.
He also assured that the council would take responsibility for the medical bills of the injured.
