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Screenshot from the Video of the Invasion at Tamac Sit Out Ewet Housing, Uyo |
Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Akwa Ibom State Command, on Thursday night embarked on what many called “Brutal Invasion” of the popular Red Light District in Uyo known as Maitama.
Men of the Nigerian Police Force raided the entrance of the Ewet Housing Estate easily known as Maitama, and the adjoining streets, arresting all female human beings, including married women and female corps members who were celebrating their POP from the NYSC.
Not less than 5 married women who were hanging out with their husbands at different relaxation spots along D-Line, Ewet Housing were allegedly molested and dragged into waiting police Hilux Vans.
Most of the husbands to the women who protested the molestation and subsequent arrest of their wives were equally assaulted for daring to question the operatives of the NPF.
Also, most of the female corps members who celebrated their passing out from the National Youth Service Corps at different locations in Ewet Housing, particularly Maitama were unlucky as they packed into waiting police vans.
Other females who were either hanging out alone or with their male companions were also arrested.
The Police men stormed the area in a commando-style with not less than 7 trucks.
We learnt on good authority that an order for the raid was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani. It is understood that the aim was to arrest prostitutes at the red light district but his men didn’t do proper identification, instead going on a wanton arrest of innocent and law-abiding citizens.
The security agents also raided some hotels/motels in Ewet Housing Estate, arresting female guests.
TheMail Newspaper correspondent who was at the scene of the incident reports that those arrested were taken to the Force’s State Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia.
Speaking to TheMail, Special Assistant to the Governor on Ethical, Attitudinal and Social Reorientation, Mr. Ime Bishop Umoh popularly known as Okon Lagos said the police have the right to raid any where they find suspicious, stating that it is actually unfortunate if there was any form of police brutality during the raid.
“If a police man hits you and brutalizes you, that is wrong. By all moral standards it is wrong because you don’t even know the health condition of the person you’re hitting. You may give that person one big hit and the person drops dead. It is not even right for you to hit people. People aren’t animals. Moreover, that person isn’t even convicted by a court for you to say this person is actually convicted and you can possibly use that as an excuse to hit him or her.
Even at that, I don’t think it is morally permissible for the police to hit someone like an animal. If actually there was any form of ethical brutality, that is where I may fault the police. But truly speaking, that raid was very essential. But it is very unfortunate that people who are not prostitutes were picked up. It is bad”, the actor said during the conversation with TheMail.
Even at that, I don’t think it is morally permissible for the police to hit someone like an animal. If actually there was any form of ethical brutality, that is where I may fault the police. But truly speaking, that raid was very essential. But it is very unfortunate that people who are not prostitutes were picked up. It is bad”, the actor said during the conversation with TheMail.
The Nollywood actor said he had to stop to find out what was going on when his driver was hit by one of the SARS operative while they were about driving past the scene of the incident.
Read the full interview here: http://themail.com.ng/police-were-right-in-raiding-maitama-nollywood-actor-okon-lagos/
Meanwhile, some police sources who spoke to TheMail on condition of anonymity said that the orders for the raid came from Government House, Uyo.
But speaking with TheMail Newspaper, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe said she is not aware of the raid. She however promised that proper investigations will commence soon to find out if there was truly a raid.
More details to follow in our subsequent reports.
Meanwhile, TheMail will upload video footages of police abuse and brutality during the 1 hour raid.
Copied from TheMail
Copied from TheMail
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