By Emem Idio

YENAGOA—A peaceful protest by the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, and Medical and Health Workers Union, MHWUN, Bayelsa State chapters, yesterday, turned violent as thugs manhandled the protesting workers, including journalists, who covered the protest at the Yenagoa Local Government Council Secretariat of the state.

The workers had stormed the council secretariat in their numbers to commence picketing in protest over the non-payment of their salary arrears.

No sooner had they begun picketing than fierce looking thugs allegedly attached to the council’s caretaker chairman descended on the protesting workers and gave them the beating of their lives.

Journalists were not spared as they were thoroughly beaten by the thugs with some sustaining injuries and losing their valuables. The journalists had to escape from the council secretariat before some policemen were drafted to the scene.