The people of Obeagu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, took to the streets on Monday, protesting what they called persistent harassment, persecution and unlawful arrest of their indigenes by policemen from Awgu Divisional Command.
Appealing to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the Inspector General of Police for assistance, the demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “Stop the Police Brutality,” “DPO Awgu stop the harassment,” and “CP/IGP call Awgu DPO to order.”
Ogbuefi Callistus Ojogbu, the President General of the community, spoke to reporters, alleging that the police, entrusted with safeguarding citizens’ lives and properties, have taken sides in a land dispute and resorted to terrorizing law-abiding residents.
Ojogbu claimed that officers from the Awgu police division entered the community, demolished a building on disputed land, and arrested men while harassing women and children in the process.
He demanded a thorough investigation into the conduct of the involved police officers and urged the government to ensure justice is served. He emphasized the community’s commitment to peaceful means of fighting for their rights.
Similarly, Ogbuefi Nnanyelugo Dennis, Secretary of the Igwe in Council, stressed that the community is peaceful and law-abiding and should not be treated as outlaws in their own land.
Mrs. Janet Aniokete, the women leader of the community, alleged that a widow was sexually harassed during one of the early morning police raids.
The community demanded the immediate and unconditional release of three individuals detained at the Awgu Police Division.
Efforts to obtain responses from the police were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
