A group of individuals from the Akwa Ibom community in Rivers State gathered outside the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited premises in Port Harcourt to protest the mysterious death of a 23-year-old member, Asher Christopher, who worked as a cleaner at the company. The protesters, consisting of youths and women, arrived at the company entrance with placards and demands for answers regarding the young man’s death.
The deceased’s father had expressed concerns over the circumstances of his son’s passing, prompting the community members to seek justice. They carried banners and placards with messages such as ‘Justice for Asher’ and ‘Who killed Asher?’ as they called for transparency from the company.
The protesters split into groups, with some heading towards the Rivers State Police Command to express their grievances. Security was tightened at the NNPC premises as the gate was closed upon the protesters’ arrival.
A spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom community in Rivers State revealed that they were seeking the release of Asher’s body for an immediate autopsy to determine the cause of death. They questioned the conflicting reports surrounding the incident and urged authorities to intervene in the matter.
Despite the lack of response from NNPC officials during the protest, the police assured the demonstrators that investigations were ongoing. The police spokesperson confirmed Asher’s death and stated that an investigation had been initiated while his body was held in a mortuary. The protesters continued their peaceful demonstration, moving towards the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to further address their concerns.