… Charge them for cultism
The Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) in Rivers State has raised alarm over the arrest of its members in Port Harcourt by men of the Nigerian Police Force.
The incident happened yesterday (Sunday) when Police officers in about 6 Toyota Hilux vehicles marked Intelligence Unit stormed their meeting venue nand arrested 35 people.
Dr Victor Moses, the National Publicity Secretary of ASO who confirmed the incident in a statement said the incident took place at about 2:00 p.m.
He accused Governor Nyesom Wike of masterminding the arrest.
Moses while narrating the incident said;
“Armed police officers in about 6 Toyota Hilux marked Intelligence Unit and acting on the instruction of Rivers State Governor surrounded plot No 3 popularly called White House in Omerelu Street, by Salvation Ministries Headquarters, GRA Port Harcourt where State and Local Government leaders of the Atiku Support Organisation were holding meetings as part of the preparation for the People’s Democratic Party presidential rally slated to hold on 11th February 2023.
“Realizing the armed men were sent to stop the meeting, some members escaped through the fence sustaining wounds caused by barbed wire, while over 30 of our members, state and LGA leaders, most of whom are women were arrested and taken away in two white Hilux of the intelligence unit, while about 4 Hilux heavily armed with police have sealed up the meeting venue.
He added: “The said No 3 Omerelu street, GRA is directly behind the Presidential Hotel Port Harcourt. None of the lines of the arrested persons is going through”.
The ASO spokesperson called for the unconditional release of its members.
“We hereby, demand Governor Nyesom Wike to release our Rivers State Executive members with immediate effect. Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – CON must end his do-or-die politics of bitterness and stop instigating violence in Rivers State against Atiku Abubakar’s supporters.
“We call on the inspector general of police to, immediately, order the release of our members and put an end to the political rascality going on in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to avert Governor Wike’s instigated bloodbath in the state during the election.”
Moses stated that Rivers people must be allowed to make their political choices freely.
Meanwhile, the arrested persons have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt today on alleged cultism charges.
