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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has called on the police authorities to handle the investigation into the raid on the residence of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, transparently.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, on Thursday, Mr Oshiomhole was quoted as saying he was shocked when he heard about the raid.
“The police hierarchy must come clean on this matter, and handle the entire issue transparently, including disclosing the names of the officers involved in this unwarranted attack on the person of Chief Clark,” he said.
Oshiomhole also said it was baffling that no reason was given for the reported invasion of Clark’s home by the police.
“I am shocked to learn about the raid on the Abuja residence of our elder statesman and highly respected South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark by the police, last Tuesday,” he said.
“I am even more baffled and embarrassed that no reason was given for that invasion and from the comments by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum-Idris, the raid was not authorised by the police hierarchy.”
Some policemen had raided Clark’s residence in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon, claiming they were searching for weapons.
They, however, did not find any weapons there and the elder statesman who described the raid as embarrassing threatened to sue the police.
Hours later, after the raid, the IGP denied authorising the move and ordered the arrest of the four police personnel that searched the residence and the informant who allegedly informed them there were weapons there.
Three of the four policemen involved were dismissed from the Police Force on Thursday while the informant was arraigned.
The fourth policeman, an Assistant Superintendent of Police is under investigation and risks being dismissed as well according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood.
Oshiomhole, in his statement, demanded that those involved in the raid should face the full weight of the law, as the search was unauthorised and illegal.
He said, “The IGP has a responsibility not only to detain the policemen involved but to also ensure they are diligently prosecuted in court. Anything short of that will be unacceptable.”
Beyond that, the APC national chairman empathised with Clark on his experience.
“I share in the pain and embarrassment Chief Clark was subjected to by the said police officers, particularly as no reason have been given for the action. This is one matter the IGP must never sweep under the carpet,” he said.
“It should be further reiterated that no Nigerian would be allowed to be subjected to such recklessness or impunity on the part of those charged to protect them.”
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