The man whose reported death sparked a protest in parts of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State is alive and currently receiving medical treatment, the local government council has said.
The council described reports of his death as false and misleading, saying it is also responsible for settling his medical expenses.
The clarification was made during a meeting involving the council, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other stakeholders as efforts intensified to end the protest and restore normalcy in the area.
The Secretary to the Local Government, who represented the council chairman, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, told participants at the meeting that the alleged victim was alive and undergoing treatment.
The clarification came after the reported death had been linked to the protest that disrupted activities in parts of the local government area.
The State Vice Chairman of the NURTW, Comrade Iyke Olu, said the union was not involved in the incident that led to the controversy.
Olu, however, assured the council and other stakeholders that the union would cooperate with efforts to bring the protest to an end and restore normal activities.
Another union official, Comrade Julius, condemned the circulation of what he described as misinformation, warning that unverified claims could worsen tension and undermine efforts to maintain peace.
He urged residents and commercial transport operators to disregard reports that had not been properly confirmed.
The Head of Local Government Administration, Sunny Worlu, also called on NURTW leaders and task force officials to improve communication with their members and step up sensitisation efforts.
According to him, discipline, accurate information and cooperation among the various stakeholders are necessary to prevent disputes from escalating into wider unrest.
The council subsequently appealed to residents to remain calm and verify information before taking action on reports capable of causing tension.
With the reported victim confirmed to be alive and receiving treatment, attention has now shifted to the circumstances surrounding the death claim and how it contributed to the protest in the area.