One killed, as women, youths protest lockdown in Sapele

An unidentified young man has been reportedly shot in a protest against the extension of the stay-at-home order by women and youths along Okpe Road in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta state.

The victim was among hundreds of angry women and youths demanding provision of palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown, which was extended by two weeks on Tuesday.

Although the circumstances surrounding the shooting was unclear, a source disclosed that the victim was shot by one of the security agents, who had gone to ensure calm in the area.

He is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“As security people were trying to disperse the crowd, they resisted. I think it was in the process the guy got shot on the waist,” the source who spoke in confidence said.

Chants of “we need food,” “we don’t want to listen,” were heard as the people protested.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had announced the extension, explaining the 14 days will help government trace, identify and isolate those who have had contacts with the three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Urging Deltans to adhere to the lockdown directive, the governor assured that by the end of the week, food items will be made available to the indigent and vulnerable persons in the state.

But the protesting residents said it was cruel of the state government to shut them in their homes for another two weeks without food and electricity.

Clad in mostly red attires, the people described Okowa as being “insensitive,” leaving them to die of hunger.

One of the women, Mrs Rosslyn Akpamredo, called on the Governor to lift the extension and lock only borders.

She said he should provide money and foodstuff to all women in the state if he cannnot do that.

“Instead of hunger to kill me and my children, we will prefer the Chinese Coronavirus to kill us and let Okowa come and bury us, if we die. We cannot stay at home without food and light. Let Gov. OKowa send his soldiers to kill all of us and bury us,” she said.

It was gathered that authorities of Sapele LGA later joined the security operatives to speak to the people and restore calm to the area.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said, “yes, a vigilante man shot someone. I have asked the DPO to go and get the vigilante man. The situation is under control now”.