*One Love Foundation threatens to drag Governor, Police, etc to court if perpetrators are not arrested
There is palpable anger and outrage in Edo State at the moment, following the alleged beating of some men, including a very old man over 80 years of age.
According to reports, the incident happened in Akoko Edo, during a meeting of some members of the Peoples Party (PDP), who are loyal to the South-South National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.
As seen in a video trending online, some men were compelled with big sticks by some younger men to sit on the bare ground. Then another man, over 80 years was dragged out of a house and beat with sticks, while being dragged mercilessly on the ground.
They kept shouting that he removes his clothes, befure one of them stripped him of his top. According to information made available to Jungle-Journalist.Com, the youths were alleged to be on the side of the Governor, while those being manhandled were on the side of Orbih.
Speaking about the incident, Chief Orbih has expressed bitterness over the development.
His words “Painfully, my attention has been drawn to a social media video of a wicked and shameful attack by some politically patronised youths who unleashed unwarranted terror on unsuspecting Party leaders and members in Ikpeshi, Akoko-Edo LGA, brandishing machetes and other dangerous weapons.
“I condemn this barbaric savagery in very strong terms, and I urge the security agents to thoroughly investigate the criminal act, fish out the perpetrators as well as those who might have remotely or closely aided their actions, and make them face the full consequences of their debasing actions. This will act as a deterrent for others who wish to take laws into their hands.
Also reacting on the development, president of One Love Foundation, Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor has described the act as shameful and beastly, coming from supposedly civilised humans. The activist also called on the governor and the security agencies to swing into action immediately and fish out the perpetrators of the deed.
Eholor, who spoke to our correspondent said although he heard the perpetrators were working for the governor, he would want to give the governor benefit of doubt, by giving him 48 to take action, or else he will be compelled to drag them to court for not protecting those he swore to protect as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
His words “I the president of One Love Foundation condemn it in totality. Whether the governor is behind it or not, I think that it is not supposed to happen in a civilised country or society like ours. We are not living in a banana Republic.
“I am calling on the Commisioner of Police of Edo State, the DSS, and the Inspector General of Police, because the faces of the perpetrators were very visible in the camera. What they did is criminal and they must be prosecuted. If they are not arrested and prosecuted, I the president of One Love Foundation will have no choice – I am giving the Commissioner of Police, and the governor 48 hours to look into this matter or I will personally prosecute the governor, the IGP, and the CP through the ECOWAS Court of Justice, United Nations, Amnesty International for human rights violation”.
“The evidences against the perpetrators abound, and they must be arrested, tried and jailed to act as a deterent to others. We cannot allow such brazen act of political thuggery in our society. This is criminal”, he stated.