Youths Clash with Military Over Oil Spill in Rivers State

The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that lives were lost after a boat capsized during a confrontation between youths and men in military uniform over an oil spill in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, with police beginning an investigation to determine the number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the event.

The oil spill was linked to a businessman whose vessel was under contract in the area. Community members attempted to halt the contractor's operations pending environmental remediation and compensation.

Tensions escalated when uniformed personnel arrived in gunboats to move the contractor's vessel, leading to a confrontation with the youths. During the chaos, a gunboat struck a boat carrying the youths, causing it to capsize, with about 10 people feared dead.

Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a community leader, confirmed the incident and called for accountability from the police and security agencies. He stated that the community plans to present the victims' bodies to government authorities in Port Harcourt.