The people of Obeagu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have stormed the streets on Monday, May 6, in protestation of what they called assiduous harassment, persecution and illegal arrest of their indigenes by policemen from Awgu Divisional Command.
They had during the demonstration, appealed to the Governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the Inspector General of Police to come to their rescue.
The villagers had carried placards with inscriptions that read: “Stop the Police Brutality”, “DPO Awgu stop the harassment”, “CP/IGP call Awgu DPO to order”.
The President General of the community, Ogbuefi Callistus Ojogbu, who spoke to newsmen, had claimed that the police officers who were supposed to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens have taken sides in a land dispute had gone ahead to terrorise the law-abiding citizens.
According to Ojogbu, policemen from the Awgu police division had arrived at the community and destroyed a building on a piece of land in contention between a member of the community and someone in the neighbouring village. The officers had also arrested men, harassed women and their children in the process.
The President General then called for an inquiry into the actions of the police officers involved and appealed to the government to ensure that justice was served.
Meanwhile, the community had called for the immediate and unconditional release of three men being held at the Awgu Police Division.
At the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain reactions from the police have proven abortive.
Why The Community Residents Resorted To Protest:
- Firstly, The police officers abused their authority in the form of harassing, persecution, and illegally arresting the community members.
- Secondly, the community members rights were violated. The resident’s fundamental human rights to security and due process were abused by the actions of the police. The indiscriminate arrest of individuals, destroying properties, and intimidation tactics breach upon their rights to liberty, property, and dignity.
Bottom Line:
By appealing to both the Governor of Enugu State and the Inspector General of Police for an intervention, the community hopes to get an immediate response to their grievances and prevent further instances of police intimidation and persecution.
