In Ughelli, a town in Delta State, Nigeria, a distressing incident unfolded involving five women from the Oteri community. These women now find themselves in critical condition at Central Hospital, Ughelli, after reportedly being shot during a protest. The protest stemmed from grievances against the police, particularly those attached to the Ughelli Area Command, whom the women accused of engaging in unlawful arrests, harassment, and intimidation.
Miss Valentine Adomi, a 24-year-old tailor, shared her harrowing experience from her hospital bed. She recounted how she encountered her family members protesting at the police station on her way to the market. Suddenly, chaos erupted with the sound of gunshots and tear gas, causing panic among the protesters. Adomi herself was injured, feeling a sharp impact on her leg that made it difficult for her to flee. It was later discovered that she had sustained a gunshot wound to her right leg.
Another protester, Mrs. Vivian Aphiare, voiced frustration over the excessive number of police checkpoints between their community and the Ughelli Area Command. She alleged that these checkpoints not only hindered transportation but also provided opportunities for police officers to enter their community and carry out unwarranted arrests. Aphiare further claimed that these officers demanded exorbitant sums ranging from N150,000 to N200,000 as bail for those arrested.
Erakpofoke Peter, the President General of the Oteri-Ughelli community, characterized the protest as a peaceful demonstration against police misconduct. He called for the removal of the police station from Oteri and stressed the need for government intervention to address the situation.
Valentine Adomi, Edith Itive, Akaeze Joy, Loveth Brown-Tate, and Mrs. Lucky Philip were among those injured in the incident. At the time of this report, efforts to obtain a comment from the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, were unsuccessful.
