- Physically Challenged Persons’ Protest at NNPC Turns Rowdy
The second day of the protest by some physically challenged persons at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation turned rowdy on Tuesday morning.
It was gathered that as early as 5am, hundreds of protesters had stormed the NNPC office to continue with the protest but were dispersed by security officers who allegedly fired tear gas at the protesters.
The demonstrators and some passers-by were said to have been caught unawares as most of them ran away from the venue of the protest to safe locations and this caused commotion in front of the NNPC Towers.
It was learnt that few passers-by and some protesters sustained injuries while running away from the tear-gassed area as many of the physically challenged persons came on crutches and wheelchairs, while others crawled on the floor.
The protesters demanded for job opportunities at the corporation. They, however, alleged that their peaceful protest was resisted by operatives of the Department of State Services, the police and the Nigerian Army, who blocked the section of the dual carriage road directly leading into the oil firm.
“Please come to our aid. We are being tear-gassed here since 5am,” was a text message sent to our correspondent by the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Delta State Chapter, Isaac Obruche.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, had earlier told our correspondent that the corporation was handling the demands of the protesters and urged them to exercise patience.
