Kidnapping of Corps Members: Rivers to Withdraw From Funding Police, Governor Attacks Jonathan

Governor Chibuike Amaechi expressed dissatisfaction over the recent kidnapping of 3 corps members in the state when the state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps visited him to register his displeasure. The governor stated that the state is already planning to withdraw from funding the police till relevant actions are taken  to secure lives and properties.

The governor noted that the Commissioner of Police is no commissioner but a politician because he attends political party meetings actively. He said the CP lacks any concrete sense of duty and does not know the real mission of him being in the state. 

He told the state coordinator of NYSC to inform the IG who has authority over the police on how to protect corps members, especially in their lodges. He mentioned that he has no authority over him (the CP) because the police have been politicised although the constitution permits him. For security of lives and properties to be ensured in Rivers state, the CP has to be removed Amaechi revealed.

The brawl between the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi got a bit complicated with the swipe the governor took at the president. The governor said 'how can we say we have a brother from Bayelsa as the President and Rivers is insecure?' The governor said is it till when Rivers turns to Borno where corps members can no longer be posted before anything tangible will be done?

He said there was a case of  kidnapping of corp members among the last batch that left the state and now, another has just occurred. Some commentators said Amaechi is not comfortable with the present commissioner of police because he is unable to use him to attack opponents like the previous commissioner.

The rift between  the president and the governor became pronounced when Governor Amaechi who was deemed to have won the Nigeria Governors' Forum election was shortchanged. The election became characterised by allegations of corruption in a 35-elders cum first citizens of states' election. The Jonah Jang faction is backed by the presidency. Jonah Jang himself was a late entrant into the election.

Nigeria: Police Harassment Increases at Sabo Divisional Headquarters

The Nigeria Police Force, Sabo Divisional Headquarters has developed a nauseous knack for harassing citizens and peace-loving Nigerians. The Police headquarters has taken on slapping as a new mode of intimidation and harassment.

The first case of harassment occurred at the entrance of University of Lagos when a student was arrested by a supposed police officer with no uniform on. He was molested and brutally harassed after being alleged of collecting cash from a girl for admission.

While proving the officer's acts as being wrong, he was dragged to the Security Post of University of Lagos. From there, the Security men allowed him to be taken away without due hearing.

Upon getting to the police station, the friends of the arrested tried to establish the cause of arrest and confirm the next line of action but the police in their characteristic cunning and crafty manner avoided all questions relating to any positive resolution.

One of the friends of the arrested boldly made it known that their friend must not be kept for more than 24 hours at the station. This angered the policemen and the young man was beaten and slapped brutally.

Another incidence of slaps occurred when another student of University of Lagos with her friends were harassed at Sabo. She was walking with her friends including a Flying Officer of the Nigerian Airforce when a police officer broke traffic rule in disobedience of traffic control light.

The young lady nearly escaped being hit and she complained. The police officer came down and said nothing other than to slap her. The Flying Officer went to the scene to try and question the policemen but before they could say Jack Robinson, they have all been dragged and packed to the police station.

At the station, the policemen said they will spray all of them with no accountability for their souls and dead bodies. All the police officers on duty without any knowledge of what happened were humming this statement. Later, the Flying Officer was apologised to after knowing who he is. How about others molested, intimated and harassed?

Nigeria Police Force has complete colonial orientation. It is the headquarters of criminals. They are never willing to end human rights abuses.