Activities at the expansive Onne port in Rivers state were crippled on Monday when youth from Onne and neighbouring Okrika clashed. The clash left two persons dead, while about five were reported missing, many vehicles were also vandalized.
The Onne port houses the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone.
Activities at the expansive Onne port in Rivers state were crippled on Monday when youth from Onne and neighbouring Okrika clashed. The clash left two persons dead, while about five were reported missing, many vehicles were also vandalized.
The Onne port houses the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone.
Conflicting reports were received about the actual cause of the fracas. While one source said that the rampaging Okrika youths were protesting alleged refusal of the Federal Government to recognise them as a host community to the seaport, like Onne and Ogu communities.
Another report had it that, the youths were protesting the non-patronage of their community by the companies operating in the FOT. They also accused the companies of not providing jobs for them.
It was however learnt that the protesters barricaded the entrance to the seaport, which caused serious gridlock in the area and as well crippled business activities.
It was however confirmed that miffed by the challenge of the Okrika youths, youths from Onne and Ogu communities in an attempt to halt the demonstration, engaged in an intense fight which resulted to the death of two people and others injured.
A witness said there were sounds of gunshots around the gate of the FOT with the youths making bonfire, dancing and chanting war songs, and turning back workers from doing their businesses.
The witness said: “This morning workers who prepared to resume for work were denied access to the FOT. They have no right to protest in Onne-Eleme soil. They said they wanted recognition by the management of FOT. What kind of recognition? Is it because they have people in power who protect them and they have arms which we don’t have?
However, a combined team of security men from the Police and army was able to dislodge the protesters at about noon before the situation was brought under control. The area has been secured by soldiers.
Normalcy has since returned to the port, while security has also been beefed up at both the FLT, FOT and the Free Trade Zone
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