Residents of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital and the adjoining Itam axis of the Itu local government area have decried random raids and arrests of people at relaxation centres, bars and pubs, especially during the late evening hours after their daily job routines, LEADERSHIP gathered at the weekend.
Other affected LGAs include Eket, Etim Ekpo and others, where our correspondent learnt have become locations of routine invasion and seizure of individuals, who are made to free themselves after payment of bail of between N25,000 and N30,000, or more.
“No police officer has a right to arrest you without a warrant or in place of another person. That’s the provision In Section 36, of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020,” notes Emmanuel Akpan, a lawyer in Uyo.
“Therefore, a warrant of arrest is an order issued by a judge or magistrate on behalf of the state, which authorises the arrest and detention of an individual, or the search and seizure of an individual’s property. But these provisions are often observed in the breach by the same Police who are officers of the law,” he noted.
This disposition followed widespread fears in Uyo and Itam axis where police are carrying out mass arrests at relaxation centres, a worrisome development which, according to concerned residents, “has the potential of impacting negatively on the tourism hub the state government is trying to create as alternative Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) source.”
“The Police besiege these places between 8 and 9pm, using an 18 – seater bus and parade every individual found there and taken to the ‘D’ Division at Itam Police station.
“These innocent individuals are forced to cough out between N25,000, N30,000 or more before they are released after spending days in the cell. Most of the affected persons are made to stay longer in the Police nets for no tangible reason,” a man, who said he signed the bail undertaking to free a family friend, recalled.
“What is really going on? Is it a new way of the Police generating money? Whatever the case, let it be noted that the masses are not happy over the development. Yes, we know times are hard, but it’s not the fault of ordinary citizens.
“Look at these scenarios:
A family in the course of trying to catch fun, finds a relaxation point to cool down, and suddenly, the Police arrive, parade and bundle them to the station.
Some friends sit out to enjoy discussions over drinks, all of a sudden, Police came, disrupted the conversation, picked them to the station.
“The disturbing point is that these ones would spend nights in the cells and pay heavily to secure their freedom in these trying moments in the country.
This indeed is disturbing and needs urgent intervention else, businesses would close down for fear of harassment,” another concerned residents lamented.
In Etim Ekpo LGA, operatives of the Division stormed the village of Udianga Enem, where the vigilant youths had apprehended a criminal, alleged to have stolen palm oil stored in drums for sale.
The suspect, according to them, had inflicted bodily harms on the owner before the youths caught up with him while trying to escape and, also administered punishment on the suspect before handing him over to the police.
However, the police, on the orders of the DPO Etim Ekpo, launched a random arrest of some youths’ leaders, who were detained for four days for manhandling the suspect before handing over to the Police. A sum of N500,000, it was learnt, was demanded initially before being freed at the weekend after paying undisclosed amount.
Neither the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, nor the commissioner of Police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, could respond to text messages for their reaction at the time of filing this report.
