Youths from the Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest, barricading the Aleto major road to demand the release of their host community’s dividends from shares in Indorama Petrochemicals.
The protest, which disrupted economic activities in the area, forced the early closure of shops and halted business operations along the route.
At least five patrol vans from the Nigerian Police Force were deployed to the scene to ensure calm and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The protesters accused certain community leaders of withholding the funds and called for immediate intervention by the government and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the release of the long-overdue dividends.
The demonstration reflects growing frustration over the alleged mismanagement of community benefits tied to corporate social responsibility agreements.