Nigeria police deploy 500 men to stop riots

By Gbenga Ariyibi & Dayo Johnson

The deployment of the policemen followed a riot by youths protesting the murder.

As at the last count, six houses including that of the state PDP Chairman, Chief Ropo Adesanya, were razed by the youths who trooped to the streets to register their displeasure over the murder.

About eight vehicles were similarly razed by the rampaging youths before police in the town called for reinforcement.

The protesters chanted war songs and calling on their ancestors to fish out the killers.

Speaking with newsmen at the country home of the deceased, the AIG Zone 8 Lokoja,  John Amodu, described the incident as unfortunate and promised that the assailants would be fished out.

Amodu appealed to the people in the town to exercise restrain that the police were up to the task.

The police boss enjoined politicians to learn to play the game by the rules and eschew violence.

Meanwhile, the youths have vowed not to remove the baricade and bonfire that littered the major streets of the town.

Vanguard, Nigeria

MP//JB//