Police officers reportedly fired tear gas at the protesters and physically assaulted them.
Demonstrators under the Imo People's Action for Democracy (IPAD) were reportedly attacked by police officers during their first day of protest against Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday, December 18, 2017.
The protest, tagged "Occupy Owerri", was organised as a peaceful rally against "bad governance" and was scheduled to run from Monday till Sunday, December 24 as an expression of discontent with Governor Okorocha's policies.
While the Department of State Services (DSS) approved the rally on request by the group, the police had asked for it to be postponed till after the festive period.
According to a report by Premium Times, IPAD coordinator, Aku Obidinma, alleged that police officers fired tear gas at the protesters and physically assaulted them to end the protest on Monday.
However, he remained defiant, insisting that the incident will not resort in the termination of the protest.
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Rochas Okorocha's unpopular policies
Governor Okorocha has been in the centre of public storms in recent months for a host of unpopular decisions that have earned him scorn.
In October, he unveiled a bronze-cast statue of South African president, Jacob Zuma, before unveiling another one for Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Many Nigerians condemned the erection of the statues especially as there are several workers in the state who are still owed salaries and other entitlement.
Another reason why the protesters marched against the governor on Monday is his recent decision to appoint his sister, Ogechi Ololo, as the state's first Commissioner of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment.