Civil Rights Councils(CRC) a non- governmental organizations based in Port Harcourt Rivers state with branches accross Nigeria has called on Inspector General of Police,IGP Kayode Egbetokun to investigate alleged harassment,intimidation,assault occassioned and unlawful detention of its members by Ekpan Police Division in Warri Delta State .
In a statement by Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna Esq,National Coordinator of Civil Rights Councils(CRC) on Saturday 3rd,August,2024 which was made available to Journalists,the Council condemned the ugly incident of violence, intimidation and assault occasionsing harm etc inflicted on their members on the 1st of August 2024 in Warri, Delta state during the end #Endbadgovernance and hunger protest.
Ogbonna Esq stated that in Warri, their members were attacked by thugs in the presence of police that allegedly refused to intervene nor offer any protection.
He disclosed that at estate roundabout and Deco road Effurum their members and other Nigerians faced assault from hired thugs and police officers.
Comrade Ogbonna explained that a Senior Police Officer attached to Ekpan Police station held and detained the leader of Warri (2) CRC unit Mr. Ojumade Tosan and confiscated both protest materials and personal effects with him including a letter their organization wrote to the police informing them of participation in the protest and demanding for their protection.
The Civil Rights Councils, National Coordinator described the incident as unfortunate while demanding justice and investigation into the cases of alleged infractions by the senior Police Officer and other non state actors.
“It is clear that there was an attempt to undermine Nigerians through unlawful means by those charged with the duty of protecting them. While we condemn this conducts,we demand for better protection for our members in the days ahead and an immediate action to arrest and prosecute the fellows who pepertrated this unlawful conducts” Comrade Ogbonna said.
As at press time, the spokesperson for Delta State Police Command,Superintendent of Police,SP Edafe Bright was yet to respond to text message sent by revelationagents.com on enquiry into the incident.