Some former Niger-Delta militants engaged the police in a free-for-all in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on Friday during a protest in the city.
It was gathered that the ex-militants were demonstrating against an alleged plan by the state governor, Seriake Dickson, to hijack the multi-million dollars Oil Pipeline Surveillance Contract from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, to oil-bearing communities in Bayelsa.
But the protest turned violent, which forced police officers to fire teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrators. However, this did not go down well with protesters, who attacked the police in retaliation.
About eight persons were injured in the fracas, including a police officer. Also, some properties were destroyed during the protest, including a truck belonging to the police. The ugly incident occurred at the Tombia-Etegwe Roundabout in Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, the police have apprehended six persons in connection with the incident. Spokesman for the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that investigation has already been launched on the matter.
