From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, known as the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has condemned the recent arrest and detention of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist by the police authorities allegedly in compliance with the directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, in a statement on Friday, said the action of the police could trigger an unexpected civil unrest and anarchy in the country, thus demanding an immediate release of Mr. Sowore.
He said: “on behalf of the 13 state chairmen of OYC across Southeast, South-south and Northern (Kogi & Benue), we express our utter shock, moral outrage, and unreserved condemnation of the despicable, illegal, and cowardly attack carried out by the Nigeria Police Force against Mr. Sowore, a former presidential aspirant, pro-democracy activist, and renowned journalist.
“This amounts to judicial sabotage, a gross violation of Sowore’s constitutional rights, and a chilling reminder of the dictatorial posture of a supposed democratic government. The Police which ought to be a model of justice, constitutional order, and respect for due process, have yet again proven itself to be an instrument of oppression, lawlessness, and political thuggery.”
The OYC President, thus, demanded the immediate release of Mr. Sowore from unlawful custody, a public apology from the Nigeria Police Force, prosecution and dismissal of the all officers involved in this criminal invasion, public statement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressing the abuse of state power, and a medical report and treatment for Mr. Sowore’s broken arm, with full accountability for those who inflicted the injuries.
He threatened that if the demands are not met within 72 hours, OYC shall begin nationwide mobilization of Nigerian youths starting from the South-East, to demand justice through lawful means, including mass action, legal petitions, and international lobbying. “We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. This madness must stop, and it must stop now.
“The more the Police treat the Nigerian people with disdain, violence, and lawless disregard, the closer they push this country to the edge of civil unrest and anarchy. When those who sworn to protect become the perpetrators of injustice, the people will have no choice but to defend themselves. When the people rise, history has shown that no uniform can shield tyrants from the storm of public resistance.”
