Protests In Warri As Youths Clash Over Ibori

PHOTO: CHIEF JAMES IBORI.

WARRI, DELTA April 27, (THEWILL) - Commercial activities in the oil city of Warri was today disrupted, as business outfits were closed for fear of being vandalized by youths protesting the ongoing manhunt for a former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, by Nigerian security forces.

Two groups of protesters took over major streets in the oil city, carrying placards and brought vehicular traffic to a halt at the popular Airport Road Junction.

The pro-Ibori protesters were confronted at the popular Jakpa Junction by another group of anti-Ibori youth protesters, who were allegedly sponsored by some former governorship aspirants, who contested in the 2007 election. THEWILL gathered that during the clash between the two groups, a car belonging to one of the protesters was burnt while other valuable properties were destroyed.

THEWILL checks revealed that the Delta State Police Command did not issue clearance to the protesters, who were mostly hired undergraduates.

It was further ascertained that the organizers of the pro-Ibori protest are members of the Delta State Water-Ways Security Committee.

Chief Ibori went underground after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared him wanted over his involvement in the use of Delta State government owned shares as collateral to facilitate a private loan for a company linked to him and the subsequent sale of the shares.