A Civil Rights Group, known as African Solidarity for Defence of Freedom is kicking over alleged molestation and beating of residents in Agbor by soldiers deployed to the town shortly after the release of the abducted father to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Pa Arthur Okowa.
Chairman of the group, Mr. Clement Osuya Ighodarho, who claimed he was also a victim of the ?unleashing terror? told Vanguard in Asaba yesterday that ?since the emergence of the military men in Agbor, Agbor has known no peace as residents now live in fear.
?The importance of which they (soldiers) were invited is to protect the residents but the reverse is the case now. The military are now unleashing terror on the people and there are so many cases of violation of fundamental rights, molestation, intimidation, beating of the citizens that are found outside as soon as it is 6.30pm.
?Even policemen on duty?, he went on, ?are not spared as they (policemen) are compelled to chew their ID cars on introduction and what of the pathetic story of a pregnant woman that was beaten and several cases of responsible men being beaten and admitted at the Central Hospital Agbor.
?We are asking the Federal Government and the state government to withdraw these military men as residents are losing about N20 million every day as they are being shut out of business within the period for fear of being beaten by the military.
We therefore give two weeks ultimatum to the Federal Government, Delta State government, and the Nigerian Army to withdraw these soldiers from Agbor, failing to do so, this organisation will institute court action against the government at the Federal high court to compel them?.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka said the command has no hand in the deployment of the soldiers.
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