APC petitions IGP, Edo CP over alleged siege on Okpella by policemen

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu and the state Police Commissioner (CP) Babatunde Kokumo over an alleged invasion by 50 policemen of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government.

The party also alleged that the police invasion was done on the orders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the policemen were harboured at the home of a politician.

The APC, on Wednesday in Benin, through the Chairman of its Media Campaign Council, Prince John Mayaki, also noted that the development had caused apprehension at Okpella, with residents expressing worry about the planned intimidation, ahead of the September 19 governorship election.

It said: “Residents of adjoining communities have lamented the police officers’ night movements, characterised by indiscriminate shootings, shouts of obscenities and other bizarre acts of intimidation, which they claimed are aimed at causing fear ahead of the election.

Read also: EDO GUBER POLL: Presidency’s admission of Oshiomhole meeting with Gambari confirms our fears —PDP

“It is important to note that Okpella has recorded defection of supporters from the PDP to the APC in the past few weeks, as residents declare their intention to back Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the governorship candidate of the APC, because of the failure of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration to fulfil its promises.

“Prominent among former members of the PDP, who are supporting Pastor Ize-Iyamu, is Prince Kassim Afegbua, a chieftain of the PDP and a popular political figure at Okpella.

“The dispatch of the police officers to Okpella has been interpreted as a desperate tactic by the government to scare voters.”

The party further said that its petitions to the IGP and CP would enable them probe the dispatch of the policemen to Okpella.

“It amounts to violation of the objective stance expected of security agencies, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to embark on a secret mission to an area where the incumbent governor is not popular.

“We doubt that the police commissioner approved the disturbing operation of policemen at Okpella, which bodes ill for the peaceful conduct of the election in the community”, the party said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now