HURIWA condemns alleged persecution of political opponents in Ebonyi

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Police in Ebonyi State of becoming official attack dogs of the state government, as it was legitimizing violence unleashed on members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

HURIWA made the accusation on Sunday in a statement authorised by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Director of Media, Miss Zainab Yusuf.

According to HURIWA, the Governor Dave Umahi-led government in Ebonyi State was “allegedly using armed thugs, in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Police Command, to harass, intimidate, physically brutalise, arbitrarily arrest and illegally detain political opponents of the State Governor, especially members and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

“HURIWA expressed consternation that despite increasing cases of systematic attacks and violent abductions of some perceived political rivals of the Ebonyi State Governor by armed militia purportedly acting under the guise of the newly constituted civilian vigilante in Ebonyi State, the police rather than display professionalism and neutrality and enforce the rule of law, has sided with the state government and has effectively become the official attack dogs used by the Ebonyi State government to legitimise the violence unleashed on members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

HURIWA specifically mentioned an alleged case the interception and beating up of the Ebonyi PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba, while travelling in a car along Abakaliki, in the company Barr. Ifeanyi Emmanuel Nworie.

HURIWA said it was alleged that armed thugs pulled out Mr. Nwoba from the car, beat him to a pulp and threw him into the boot of their sienna.

“Amidst the beating, shooting and pandemonium with heavy traffic buildup, Mr. Nworie was able to contact a nearby police patrol team which came to the scene and moved both the attackers and victims to the State Police Headquarters in Abakaliki. To everybody’s utter bewilderment, the attackers were allowed to go while the injured victims were detained by the police,” HURIWA stated.

It added that that Policemen invited to provide security during a reception in honour of the newly elected State Chairman of PDP by his community at Okposi in Ohaozora Local Government Area on December 29, 2021, idly watched on as an armed gang invaded the venue, started heavy shooting and completely destroyed both chairs and canopies set up for the event and drove away unchallenged.

The rights group has therefore implored the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate that allegation the Police in Ebonyi State Command has turned official attack dogs of the state government.

“HURIWA affirmed that the IGP should as a demonstration of professionalism and respect for the rule of law, intervene to save Ebonyi State citizens from state sponsored terror.

“HURIWA has asked the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to show leadership by activating internal mechanisms to investigate the growing numbers of cases of violence on people belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party or are just media practitioners who are allegedly attacked either for their independent opinions which the governor allegedly finds unpalatable and uncomfortable or the state government perceive such persons as viable political opponents who might pose formidable opposition to its interest in any coming elections in the state or nationally.

“HURIWA has therefore issued an ultimatum to the IGP to transparently investigate cases of professional misconduct by the Ebonyi State Police Command in the interest of the image of the Nigerian Police Force, and the personal integrity of the IGP,” the statement added.

The group threatened that, in collaboration with dozens of other civil society organisations, it “will take other legitimate measures to use the institutional Correctional mechanisms to expose, name, shame and to seek the dismissal of the indicted police operatives of the Ebonyi state Command colluding with political armed thugs to harass and attack the perceived political rivals of Governor Dave Umahi,” should the IG fail to act.