Police detectives in Ondo state have arrested the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, in the state, Kunle Ajayi and some youths during protest to end bad governance in the country.
Others arrested during the protest which took place at the popular NEPA roundabout, in Akure, metropolis, include Patrick Owolabi, Oluwatobi Akinkuotu, Kolawole Kumuyi and Olalekan Oladehinde among others
The protesters were dispersed by the men of the state Police command but they refused to leave the venue.
One of the protesters, Tope Temokun, a Human Right Activist and lawyer, who condemned the arrest of the nine protesters, said there was no evidence of violence to warrant the arrest of the protesters.
Temokun said “The resort to arrest of peaceful protesters by men of the Nigerian police in Akure today is unnecessary dissipation of energy and uncalled for.
“Particularly regarding the manner in which the protesters have coordinated their protest and what engagement transpired between the protesters and the police before the arrest”
“As at yesterday a letter was submitted by the leadership of Take It Back movement to the Nigeria Police in Akure, notifying the police of today’s protest and inviting the police for protection.
“In an orderly manner this morning the protesters with placards in their hands have commenced their peaceful procession in the city, around NEPA roundabout and this arrest took place after the protesters have been engaged by the leadership of the police team who came and demanded the protesters proceed to a designated approved venue which was said to be Archade.
” But unknown to the protesters who were promptly complying by filing out to the said approved venue, it was a mere design to trap them to isolation and arrest them.
“As the protesters were heading there peacefully, they were ambushed by the arresting team of the Nigerian Police who were acting on orders from above and arrested the youths.
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“This style of engaging citizens with deceits in civic engagement will not only lead to further loss of total trust and confidence in the police, it is very disgraceful and smacks of playing to gallery to win empty accolade from the government”
” The arrest that took place is highly condemnable and stands condemned. If the government has any evidence of violence from the protesters it should come out with it.
He therefore called on “governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, as the Chief Security Officer of the State, to whom the Commissioner of Police within the state is constitutionally responsible on matters of security within the state, to order the release of those arrested in the course of this protest unconditionally, as they constitute no security threat to the state like the hunger and pressure unleashed on the people nationwide by the APC government, while the process of asking for good governance continues! Protest is not and will never be a crime, no matter what!
Reacting, the states Police command spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, who was evasive, said ” I am in a meeting, I will get back to you shortly.