By Emma Amaize

EFFURUN- THE  Police have arrested 44 suspects over last week’s fracas by members of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Uvwie chapter, near Warri, Delta State.

The protesters, who attacked police officers on duty at the Dofect Motor Park, Effurun, shot an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and a Sergeant.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, yesterday.

She said, “On 29/7/2015 at about 0700hr, the Area Commander, Warri,    received information that following the change of leadership by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Uvwie chapter, leading to the emergence of one Ariyor Francis ‘m’ as chairman, pockets of violent protests erupted in the area.”

“Based on the report, patrol teams were quickly mobilized to the scene, and at Jakpa junction, the protesters shot at the policemen, as a result of which an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was hit on his buttocks by a bullet from one of the protesters. The victim was rushed to Central Hospital, Warri, for treatment.

“Later, the police re-enforced and trailed the protesters to Agofure Motor Park on NPA –DSC express way Warri where the said protesters had gathered to cause more crisis and destruction and arrested forty-four (44) male suspects. Some of the protesters also on the same date at about 1140hrs    attacked policemen on duty at Dofect motor park Effurun, shooting sporadically into the air and in the process, a police sergeant was hit by stray bullet on his right elbow. The injured policeman was rushed to Nigeria Navy Hospital Effurun for treatment.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored to the area while investigation is in progress. The Command wishes to warn members of the public to always respect the law of the land and refrain from taking the law into their hands for any reason.”