Tension in Port Harcourt as Clash Involving Northerners Triggers Protest -

Residents of Port Harcourt were gripped by fear and uncertainty after a dispute involving some Northerners and local indigenes degenerated into a protest in parts of the city.

Daily Star Nigeria gathered that the trouble started following an allegation that a man identified as Nchelem Samuel Festus, said to be from Igwuruta community, stole a motorcycle from a business owned by Northerners in the area.

According to a report earlier shared by Aminiya, efforts to recover the motorcycle reportedly led to a heated confrontation. Witnesses said the situation turned violent during the struggle, with a knife allegedly used in the process.

In the chaos, a community secretary sustained serious injuries and later died, a development that heightened tension and anger among residents.

The incident sparked panic across the neighbourhood, as people fled their homes and shops in search of safety, while others quickly closed their businesses to avoid being caught up in the unrest.

Security agencies in Rivers State have since deployed personnel to the affected areas in a bid to restore calm and prevent further escalation. Authorities appealed to residents to remain law-abiding and warned against taking the law into their own hands.

Community and religious leaders have also stepped in, urging all sides to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue, stressing that peaceful coexistence remains essential in the state’s diverse society.

As security presence continues, normal activities are gradually returning, though many residents say they remain cautious while hoping the situation is permanently resolved.