One of them who spoke with The Story, on Friday 10th October 2020, who simply identified himself as Stanley, noted that the police purportedly carry out this dastardly act on roads like Ogwashi-Uku, Ubulu-Uku and many other quiet parts.
He stated this when #ENDSARS protesters stormed the State Command of the Nigerian Police in Asaba, before proceeding to government house to register their grievances.
He lamented that some of them are now afraid to drive around town even when their means of livelihood is genuine.
They also claimed that some of them have suffered untold hardship in the hands of police officer as they have been detained for days even after their parents came to identify them.
The protesters numbering over 100 youths, insisted that the police hirachy must do everything possible to end the activities of SARS which has turned to a conduit pipe.
They also lamented that the police do not see them with iPhones or see money on them, “Once, they see iPhone with you or money in your car, the next thing is carry you and detain you.
“I have seen where five youths were killed by police officers because they were riding on expensive cars”, one who spoke by the side alleged.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for calm in the state as the country continues to record protests by citizens, including Deltans, against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor acknowledged that citizens had the right to protest against any case of perceived wrong in the society, but cautioned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law.
He said that the reported killing of a policeman and injuring of another officer of the Police Force during the #ENDSARS protests in Ughelli area of the state on Thursday was disheartening, and advised that citizens should eschew taking laws into their hands.
The governor sued for calm and urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the issues and fish out those who turned a peaceful protest into violence.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Commissioner of Police, the Delta State Police Command and the family of the deceased officer, in the unfortunate incident of Thursday at Ughelli,” he said.
While sympathising with the Police, the governor urged the Inspector-General of Police to embark on a reform of the tactical squads of the Police Force in the best interest of the country.
