Independent NG
A Senior Police Officer, A. A Hassan of the FCT Police Command on Monday threw caution to the wind as he threatened to shoot one of the protesting members of he proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB).
The officer who was among the scores of stern-looking security operatives that thronged the precincts of Federal High Court Abuja in anticipation of the scheduled arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, caused a stir as he drew his service rifle while in hot chase of the leader of the group who had come in their numbers to show solidarity to their detained leader.
The protesters had gathered in front of the court building haven been prevented by the police from gaining access to the court.
Not satisfied with that the officer went ahead to clear the IPOB from the precincts of the court which was initially resisted by the group, whose leader went ahead to address members of the press.
Surprisingly after the protesters have addressed journalists the overzealous police officer barged into the crowd and pulled his service rifle and threatened to shoot the leader of the group.
The officer engaged the IPOB member in a hot chase even as the rest of the protesters dared him to shoot.
The threats did not stop the IPOB members from making their presence felt as they chanted: “Holy! Holy !! Nnamdi Kanu Is Another Saviour. “
Some of them were also picked up by the combined team of operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Police Force who prevented journalists and lawyers from gaining access into court.
The police also later arrested a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and another citizen journalist who was assisting him to Livestream events on his Facebook page.
The police had enquired from the activist his mission at the court and police attempted to prevent him from gaining access into the court.
A heated altercation ensued as the police pounced on him and whisked him away alongside the citizen journalist.
His phones and a camera belonging to a photographer who was also with him at the time of the incident were seized in the process.
He was however later released after spending few minutes at the Federal Secretariat policemen.
The operatives who had barricaded the court’s precincts had earlier the previous day issued subtle threats to residents and motorists to avoid the federal high court area because of the case.
While the case was a major talking point the spirited effort by the authorities to bar journalists from covering the proceeding in court grabbed more traction. Only ten media establishments were accredited to cover the high profile case.
Most residents who went about their businesses said the effort the stifle media access has again left the administration in a bad light.
This Story First Appeared At The Independent NG
