Delta women protest ‘illegal’ detention of youths

• Barricade main entrance to Government House

A group of women yesterday blocked the main gate into Delta State Government House for about four hours, demanding the release of four kinsmen arrested by the police three weeks ago.

The women chanted solidarity songs, with placards bearing inscriptions, such as  “Youths are the Future of Tomorrow, Release our Youths Now; We need our youths, husbands, fathers back, we seek their bail; Release Iselle Azagba Youths, they are our Future.”

The women, who came from Iselle Azagba in about 12 buses, marched on the House of Assembly, state police command headquarters before arriving at the Government House.

Victoria Isichei, one of the protesters, told reporters that three weeks ago, four youths of their community were apprehended by the police and taken to prison.

“We are from Iselle Azagba. Iselle Azagba and Utulu were fighting over a piece of farmland. For that land, four people were killed in a  fight, while many were injured. The fight took place near Iselle Azagba Mixed Secondary School, and to keep security, the headteacher invited the vigilante to restore order and security. However, some police officers, who were initially invited, arrested those vigilance boys and took them to prison. For about three weeks, they have not been released.

“What are their crimes? They arrested the headteacher, but have released him but won’t release the vigilante.

“We are here because those boys are our sons and our husbands. We will not fold our arms and wait until they die in police custody. They are innocent, and they must be released.”

Mrs Ikemefuna Margaret, who led the protest, said they would not watch as their sons stand the risk of being killed. She also acknowledged that they were aware of the significance of the International Women’s Day, and chose the day to make their voices heard: “what kind of Women’s Day are they celebrating, when the fruits of our womb are about to be wasted?” she asked.

She stated that since they were arrested, they have become exposed to all manner of criminal activities with no one to protect them.

They gave the names of  the detainees as Eziafa Nwotokpo, Dikeamaka Okonji, Sampson Uwandulu, and Ndubuisi Odum.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Mr Charles Aniagwu said: “Demonstrations and protests are the right of every Nigerian. But having acknowledged that, the police regulate the actions of vigilance groups, if the police arrest them, it might mean there is no cordial relationship between the police and the vigilante. However, Governor Okowa acknowledges the right of every Deltan and would never want it trampled upon. The people arrested are Deltans, and the women are also Deltans, and Nigerians. We will  ensure that the rights of these people are protected.

“We want to believe that the police are doing their best to protect the rights of the protesters and are aware that they should protect their rights.

“We expect that they should charge them to court if found guilty of any crime”.

Source