Aggrieved Nigerians, on Tuesday, took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, to protest against police brutality.

This is despite the ban on protests throughout the state by Governor Nyesom Wike.

The protesters in their numbers converged at Pleasure Park, Port Harcourt, around 8.45 am to resume the protest.

PH #EndSARSBrutality Protesters Have Arrived At The Rivers State Govt House, To See Governor Wike, Despite His Ban And Threats. Never Be Afraid To Raise Your Voice Against Tyranny And Oppression. Power Belongs To The Power! #SARSMUSTEND #PhProtest #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria pic.twitter.com/K4sbhOWpw1

— Somto Okonkwo (@MrSomtoOkonkwo) October 13, 2020

They later marched around major streets in the city and lamented killings of innocent youths and harassment by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Channels Television reporter at the scene of the protest spoke with some of the protesters who in reaction to the governor’s directive said they have the right to protest.

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“The governor said what he said, it is within my constitutional right to protest. We are simply asking for police reform and justice for victims of police brutality,” Ms Okechukwu reportedly said. 

Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), on Sunday, scrapped the anti-robbery squad following nationwide protests against extrajudicial killings and abuse of human rights.

But despite disbanding the unit, protesters across the country continued their calls for the reform of the police.

Reacting to the campaign against SARS, Wike said there was no need for further protests since the unit has been scrapped.

He, therefore, directed law enforcement agencies to ensure that the ban on protests is enforced and that violators are arrested.