The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that lives were lost after a boat reportedly capsized during a confrontation between community youths and men in military uniform over an oil spill in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening amid tensions over alleged environmental pollution linked to a contractor operating in the area.
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Reports indicate that community members had attempted to stop the contractor’s operations, demanding that the polluted environment be cleaned up and compensation provided for the alleged damage.
The situation reportedly escalated when uniformed personnel arrived in gunboats and attempted to move the contractor’s vessel. During the confrontation, one of the gunboats allegedly struck a boat conveying youths, causing it to capsize.
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