ANEEJ Condemn Police Action in Rivers State
ANEEJ CONDEMN POLICE ACTION IN RIVERS: CALLS FOR THE INTERVENTION OF UN SPECIAL RAPORTEUR
Benin City…The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has condemned the action of Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, describing it as dangerous, unacceptable and capable of plunging the state into deeper crisis thereby setting a bad precedent for Nigerian democracy.
This condemnation came following the Sunday morning onslaught by the police on members of the Save Rivers Movement during a peaceful rally in Port Harcourt, where the police fired gun shorts and freely used tear gas on innocent and peaceful Nigerians who were exercising their fundamental human rights to freedom of association. In the process a serving Senator, Magnus Abe was shot.
“As we speak now, hundreds of Ogoni people are currently on a protest in Port Harcourt, calling for the removal of the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, over the attack on Senator Magnus Abe, and there are indications that the situation may degenerate if urgent steps are not taken to put an end to the growing level of impunity in Rivers State” Says Rev. David Ugolor, ANEEJ Executive Director.
Ugolor added “now that all existing opportunity to redress the situation has been exhausted, it will be appropriate at this point to call on the United Nations through the Special Raporteur appointed by the human rights council, to intervene in the matter. We as CSOs will be taken steps to formally submit a petition to the UN Special Raporteur against the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu.”
“We are also using this opportunity to call on the National Assembly to commence investigation into the ugly incident as the rights of citizens to freely associate within the ambit of the law should not be undermined. All this portends danger especially as we approach 2015.” Ugolor concluded.