Group condemns planned protest against Police over alleged rights abuses, extortion in Delta state

A group under the aegis of People United for Societal Harmony, PUSH a Non-Governmental and Non-Profit making Organization NGO domiciled in Delta State has condemned in strong term, planned protest by some persons masquerading as Human Rights Organization in Delta State alleging Police extortion and rights abuses; saying such act was capable of resonating the ugly legacies of the #EndSARS protest.

Secretary-General of the association, Dr. Austin Akaraiwe in a release made available to Newsmen weekend, said that intelligence report reaching them has it that the arrow head of the self-acclaimed human rights group recruiting some unsuspecting persons in Asaba, Warri,

Sapele and environs for the planned protest was an expelled member of

a famous human rights organization in the country touting for relevance in the state.

Dr. Akaraiwe noted that if for nothing, the present Police leadership in the state have shown exceptional zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuse; stressing that any protest against the Police in the statement at this time would not only be counter-productive but spew unwarranted tension that may cog the socio-economic master plan of the state Governor, Senator (Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to him, the present onslaught by the Police against all

manners of crimes and criminality including cultism and kidnapping in

the state had never been witnessed before, adding that any such

planned protest aside discouraging the current Police leadership from

maintaining the momentum against enemies of the state, would encourage

criminal elements to perpetuate in their uneconomic activities.

Dr. Austin noted that as part of the present police leadership stance

against corruption and all forms of unprofessional activities, two

Police officers were recently shown the way of the force for assault

occasioning harm against a defensceless tricycle operator in Warri.

He said, “We are not unaware of a surreptitious plan by a group of

persons masquerading as human rights organization in our dear state

recruiting unsuspecting but gullible persons to embark on protest

allegedly against Police extortion, human rights abuse and all what

not. The arrow head of this group of persons was a member of a

renowned rights organization in the country with a branch in Delta

State who was expelled for anti-association activities. He wants to be

relevant and like a drowning man who he is, he is going around

confusing jobless people like him to stage a protest; all in a bid to

make a statement.”

Continuing, Dr. Akaraiwe added, “At the risk of adulation, the kind of

relative peace presently being enjoyed in the state has never existed.

The Governor of the State Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa has not

only shown that he is a bridge builder but a leader that has the

interest of the good people of Delta State at heart through his

numerous people-oriented projects. On their part, the Police in the

state have to a large extent lived up to expectation especially, in

the area of civility and community policing model. Just three days

ago, two Police officers serving with the ‘A’ Division in Warri were

dismissed for assaulting and inflicting bodily injuries on a hapless

tricycle operator somewhere in Warri. Does this not tell us that the

present Police leadership is averse to corruption and

unprofessionalism? So, what is then the basis for planning a protest

when you have a Police Commissioner that is available to you on a 24

hour basis? That is why, we as a group in the People United for

Societal Harmony PUSH is rising up against such planned protest and

calling on whoever is the architect to drop the idea and embrace

peace, encourage the state government and the present Police

leadership to better the lot of the good people of Delta State and

fight crime respectively.”

Trekafrica.net