Rt, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State.
By John Egie
A media group, Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, has faulted the decision of the Delta State Government in deploying troops of the Nigeria Army, using brute and excessive force, to suppress peaceful protesters in the University Town of Abraka, Monday, June 2.
A statement issued by the Forum strongly condemned the decision of the state government in the deployment of the troops and also frowned at the excessive force meted on the peaceful protesters.
The statement which was signed by Messrs Emmanuel Enebeli and Shedrack Onitsha, both Chairman and Secretary of the forum respectively, noted that the protests were organized by students, residents and indigenes of Abraka to draw attention of the public and relevant authorities to the alarming state of insecurity and rampant cases of kidnappings that have been going on unchecked in Abraka in recent times.
“Instead of responding with empathy and making efforts to providing solutions to the deteriorating security situation, Delta State Government chose to deploy troops to quell the protests.
“Video clips circulating online show men in military uniforms opening fire on unarmed civilians and students among whom were: the university Student Union Government President, Comrade Onos Austin; Vice President of NANS, Comrade Tennyo and Executive Assistant to the governor on students’ affairs, Comrade Okoh Ezekiel. Their presence at the protest ground highlights the broad concern over the worsening security situation” the statement said.
DOPF expressed deep worry about federal and Delta State governments’ failure in deploying troops to combat kidnappers and those behind other violent crimes in the University Town in spite of all hues and cries but could effortlessly order a deployment of troops to suppress citizens who were peacefully protesting insecurity occasioned by governments’ ineptitude.
” This reflects a disturbing trend in which citizens’rights are being undermined in a supposed democratic society where citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protests and freedom of expression.”
DOPF recalled that in the recent State of the State Address presented by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the Delta State House of Assembly, the Delta State Governor assured Deltans and investors of his administration’s commitment to security of lives and property, “unfortunately, the assurance has become a ruse and a failed promise in the face of the Abraka episode where protesters were confronted with live bullets rather than engaging them in dialogue” .
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