The Peoples Democratic Occasion, PDP, in Edo State has demanded the quick and unconditional launch of 52 college students of Ambrose Alli College, AAU, Ekpoma, who had been remanded in jail over their alleged involvement in final Friday’s protest in opposition to insecurity within the city.
In a press release issued late Monday, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the continued detention of the suspects most of them college students as oppressive, illegal and a blatant abuse of energy.
The get together maintained that the protest was peaceable and constitutionally assured earlier than it was allegedly hijacked by hoodlums.
In response to the PDP, the state authorities is punishing victims whereas failing to confront the true perpetrators of violence, warning that such actions threaten democratic expression in Edo State.
Osa-Ogbegie accused the Monday Okpebholo-led administration of failing to handle worsening insecurity in Ekpoma and surrounding communities, which he stated have been left uncovered to kidnappers and violent criminals.
He described the federal government’s response as incompetent and authoritarian, arguing that “solely a authorities afraid of accountability would criminalise civic protest”.
Components of the assertion learn, “The arrest and continued detention of peaceable protesters, lots of them college students, exposes the true character of the APC authorities in Edo State; brutal in the direction of residents, timid earlier than criminals, and hostile to democratic expression.”
The PDP reiterated its opposition to kidnapping and killings, calling for the dismantling of prison networks working freely throughout Ekpoma and close by areas.
Pressure had gripped Ekpoma after a protest over rising insecurity turned violent on Saturday, following stories that miscreants hijacked the demonstration.
Merchants at a livestock market had been attacked, whereas the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, was vandalised an incident condemned by Governor Okpebholo.
The protest was triggered by public outrage over persistent kidnappings and the killing of a youth on Friday night time.
Though residents initially blocked a serious freeway to press their calls for, the state of affairs later deteriorated when hoodlums took over the protest.
Confirming the incident, Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, stated one individual was shot by a soldier, including that the case had been handed over to army authorities for investigation.
