Early on Wednesday 15-08-18, news broke out on social media by Mr Andrea Ekeng about an incident with the police in Calabar, Cross River State.
The publisher of an online platform "The warden" letter in the day give a breakdown of what took place.
IT READS : "My unfortunate encounter with men of the Nigerian Police".
"As publisher of The Warden (an online media platform), I stumbled on a news worthy content in my domain in Calabar South and felt I should break the news to commend the quick response of the Nigerian Police to avert jungle justice and also appraise the level of civility demonstrated by our Community Youths and Leadership structures by trying to save a thief who was caught in the act, stealing solar battery from street lights from jungle justice and duly handing over the matter to the appropriate authority".
"Surprisingly, I was harassed by the policemen on their own claim that I had no right to take photos and my phone was forcefully snatched from me with my ATM card and other items.
I tried to enquire where exactly where they were headed with my stuffs but the policeman incharge told me point blank that I should go to hell and then drove off".
"After findings, I uncovered the Station behind this and I made my journey there.
On reaching there, I was again coerced with all manner of threat to unlock my phone, which I did and the policeman ransacked it the way he liked.
Right to privacy, violated without a warrant! "
"After spending about an hour, I was forced to write a statement. A statement that I was told what to write, line by line".
"At that point I knew that these men were not ready to release my phone as they began to call it "crime scene evidence". Can you imagine that?
I ask, when did it become a crime to take photos of incidence?"
"The level of harassment I received from the police was unprecedented. They verbally abused my person, family and everything I stand for and I stood there quietly like a lamb who is being led to the slaughter.
Who wants to be a victim of police brutality and accidental discharge?
Of course, we see and read alot these days about trigger happy police men and I was standing in front of one who spent half of his time cocking and recocking his gun to demonstrate his seriousness".
"He kept yelling... "God punish you, u take my Photo", "I will deal with you", "stupid boy", "idiot", "God punish ya papa", "I will slap you", "Na Una like this dey shout #EndSars".
The one that got me is when he said, "you are here claiming journalist, when I graduated in Mass Communication - CRUTECH in 2011, where you even in primary school then?"
I was at that point so furious and even wished I had the only opportunity to reply him.
But just in case he stumbles on this, let him know that as at 2009 I was already a Faculty President and in 2010 i became the most vocal Senator-SUG in that same CRUTECH. 2011, I was done with campus Student Unionism.
Did we been hear of people like him?
Why the foolish pride and insult?"
"The long and short of it is, the Commissioner of Police had to intervene through the efforts of the dogged Mr. Agba Jalingo and Emmanuel Etim who's passion to fight against barbaric victimization is unmatched. They immediately paid a visit to the station to enquire why the rights of reporter was infringed upon.
These guys are the real deal.... sincerely, I felt pampered".
"With atmost 7 hours of drama that unfolded, I was sure the young policeman who claimed to have graduated from Mass Communication Department - CRUTECH was all out to trample upon me and crush whatever anger that any journalist may have done to him in time past.
But should a trained Communicator turn out this way, then it's a total waste of resources for education for such an individual".
"It is therefore imperative to note that we have to rise up to fight the rot that has eaten deep into the heart of this country that we are not even free to even express our rights as clearly spelt out.
Omoyele Sowore our Presidential Aspirant and activist said "constantly remind them of your rights".
I can't wait beyond now to #Takeitback, take this country out of impunity and calumny. We can't allow others to continue to bask on the apparatus of power and constantly victimize us.
The Movement has begun and we are dominating Nigeria like the Pharaoh's locust and evil Kings will have no choice after the many plagues to beg us to #TakeOurThingBack.
I can only worry for those innocent and poor people who don't have people to fight for them.
"Thanks for everyone who called to check up and even those I couldn't pick their calls....the messages even those who are quietly concerned.
My dear wife....My Uncle, Ekeng Etim...(many thanks) "
#KnowYourRights
#FightForYourRight
#Takeitback
#ShoDemDeyWay
#AAC
The Nigeria police has been known for carrying out series of human rights violation in the past and this is still very predominant in Nigeria, their victims are most times underprivileged citizens.
This has birthed calls from mostly youths to #Endsars and the rest due to the level of intimidation they rain on people.
Recently the Acting president prof Yemi Osibanjo has ordered the total overhauling of SARS with the hope that this will further corp the excesses of the officers and men of the force.
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