The people of Obeagu in Awgu local government area of Enugu state, have petitioned Governor Peter Mbah and the Inspector General of Police for what they described as persistent harassment, persecution and unlawful arrest of its indigenes by the DPO Awgu Division Police, Benjamin Egu and Inspector Obieze Augustin.
Protesting against the alleged intimidation, the villagers carried placards with inscriptions such as ” Stop the Police Brutality”, “DPO Awgu stop the harassment”, “CP/IGP call Awgu DPO to order”, chanting slogans and demanding an end to the unjust treatment by the Police.
Speaking to newsmen, the President General of the community, Ogbuefi Callistus Ojogbu, lamented that the police who are supposed to protect the lives and properties of citizens, have taken sides in a land dispute and gone ahead to unleash terror on law abiding citizens.
Ogbuefi Ojogbu said that the DPO of the Awgu police division and his men entered the community and demolished a building on a piece of land in contention between a member of his community and someone in the neighbouring village, arresting men and harassing women and their children.
The President General called for a thorough investigation into the actions of the police officers involved and urged the government to ensure that justice is served.
He emphasized that the community will not stand for such injustice and will continue to fight for their rights through peaceful means.
Similarly, the Secretary Igwe in council, Ogbuefi Nnanyelugo Dennis noted that they are peace loving and law abiding citizens and should not be treated like outlaws in their own land.
Also speaking, the Woman Leaders of the community, Mrs. Janet Aniokete, while narrating the ordeal noted that a widow was sexually harassed in one of the 4AM raids by the police.
Mr. Chinedu Chukwuemeka while appealing to relevant authorities to address the issue, noted that their men now sleep in bush and no longer go to farm or about their normal businesses due for fear of being whisked away by police.
Our correspondent reports that the protesters also called for the release of three persons arrested and detained by the DPO.
