Rivers Re-run: Wike Leads Mass Protest Against Police Brutality

[caption id="attachment_14707" align="alignnone" width="699"]Governor Nyesom Wike[/caption]

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Thursday, led thousands of people to the streets of Port Harcourt in protest of alleged mass killings by the Police and other security agencies during last Saturday’s legislative re-run elections.

The governor led the peaceful march from the Government House, Port Harcourt to Rivers State Police Command headquarters.

Other top dignitaries who joined the march include, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Speaker Dabo Adams, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Former UBA Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra, Former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru and Rivers State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah.

Advertisement

On sighting the protesters, policemen at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters reportedly took to their heels as after which they locked down the premises.

The governor after waiting for more than 30 minutes, before the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cyril Okoro came out, addressed the command through the gates.

Governor Wike told the Police that the people of the state came to inform them that they were tired of the killing of innocent people by the police and other security operatives in the state.

wike protest2 1

Advertisement

He stressed that the Rivers people were discontented with two “reckless” police officers, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mr Akin Fakorede, who according to him backed assault against the people of the state.

In his words, “On behalf of the Rivers State Government and the good people of the state, we have to let the police know that enough is enough.

“We demand that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Akin Fakorede must leave the state.

“Since you don’t want to protect the state and you want to be politicians, you have gotten the votes you want to get, you have also gotten the seats you want to get, you can now leave the state.

“If they don’t leave the state, then we will do all we can to ensure they leave this state. They must leave this state. They have killed innocent people.”

Advertisement

He said the Police High Command has refused to act despite the overwhelming evidence against the duo, especially the video footage that showed Akin Fakorede and other security operatives trying to snatch results of the Rivers East Senatorial District, a situation he described as unfortunate.

“We have come here peacefully to communicate this to your superiors in Abuja. I cannot write again, since I have done that repeatedly. Please, I don’t want my people to die anymore. I don’t want armed robbers posted as senior police officers to Rivers State,” Wike added.

Responding to the governor, the Deputy Police Commissioner, Cyril Okoro said he will ensure Wike’s message gets to the Police High Command for necessary action.

Leave a comment

Advertisement