A coalition of Nigerian youths, students, and civil
society organizations has called for the immediate removal of Inspector-General
of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun due to the recent police brutality under his
leadership, particularly the treatment of the Peace Corps Commandant and Civil
Defence officers.
The coalition demands the unconditional release of
National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Dickson Akoh,
threatening a mass protest if their demands are not met.
The coalition’s emergency press conference in Abuja
highlighted concerns about the escalating police brutality, emphasizing the
need for accountability and reform within the Nigeria Police Force
The civic coalition in an emergency press conference
in Abuja on Saturday warned against the recent trend of police brutality under
Egbetokun’s leadership and demanded that the commandant be released from
custody.
the IGP ordered the arrest of the National Commandant,
Akoh over a dispute arising from tenancy disagreement between Akoh and his
landlord.
As result armed policemen invaded the Peace Corps Head
Office located near Jabi Lake at about 3pm on Friday in a commando style, broke
into his office and arrested him alongside 16 officers.
The gun trotting officers were alleged to have
forcefully gained access into the premises of the building with the help of
thugs and hoodlums who accompanied them, vandalised the doors, and ransacked
all the offices before taking Akoh away.
At the conference in Abuja, the coalition demanded
Akoh’s immediate release and an end to police brutality and harassment of
Nigerians.
The conveners were; Blessing Akinlosotu for the civil
society stakeholders; Murtala Mohammed, former President, National Youth
Council of Nigeria; Engr. Uzoh Ifeanyi, representative of International Youth
organisations; Olayemi Success, representative of student stakeholders; Mazi
Oscar David Kalu, Alhaji Gambo Suleiman Jagindi and Rikki Nwajiofor as national
stakeholders; as well as Ademario Emmanuel, DG, Coalition of Nigeria Youth on
Security and Safety Affairs.
The coalition said, “It is now public and viral that
the Nigeria Police Force, under the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is
turning into a monster and instrument of
terror against the Nigerian People. It is either the
IGP is absolutely unaware and ignorant of developments under him or he is the
one calling the shots. The IGP cannot exonerate
himself from either of the above.
“How can the IGP justifying the men of the Police
Force arresting and handcuffing personnel of sister Agency, the NSCDC in
public, even while seeing the NSCDC Officer with an AK47 rifle meant only for
Security Agencies? How can the IGP explain the breaking into of the
Headquarters of the Peace Corps to vandalise properties and arresting over 32
Youths
and Civil Society Leaders over tenacity dispute that
is even before the Court of Law, with judgement in favour of the Peace Corps.
“This development is a direct slap on the young people
and citizens of Nigeria, hence, the reason for our intervention.
“We hereby give an ultimatum expiring Monday, October
28,2024 to the IGP and NPF to both tender an unreserved apology to the NSCDC,
unconditionally release the National
Commandant of the PCN and other detained Youths,
unseal the Headquarters of the PCN.
Failure to meet the above demands, we thereby call for
the sacking of IGP Kayode Egbetokun by Mr. President before he causes
irreparable havoc to NPF and Government of President Tinubu.
“Furthermore, if the above demands are not meant on
Monday, then the Coalition will be left with no other option that to lead the
Nigerian youth, student and civil society stakeholders on a peaceful protest to
occupy both the Force Headquarters and the National Assembly. This serves as a
pre-action notice.”
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