Police harrasment: Group seek justice for victim of alleged Police recklessness

A group known as Patriotism Advancement and Community Orientation Network has demanded a higher form of professionalism from men of the Nigeria police force following reports it received against the Bayelsa state command of the Force.

The group in a statement signed by its arch-convener Mr. Aluzu Ebikebuna, Esq., says PACON is concerned about continuous unprofessional conduct of the state command while condemning officers who were driving against traffic rules in yenagoa, the state capital on the 6th of May, 2019 before knocking down one Mr.  Shedrack Ogbonna. The statement reads thus: "We have received reports of the continuous reads conduct of the Bayelsa state command of the Nigerian police force ranging from gross human right violation, abuse of office and act unbecoming of public officers.

"This is evident in the series of petitions we have received against the force in the state. While we condemn the conduct of the men of the police force who knocked down a father of 3 and breadwinner of his family now rendered helpless with a fractured skull and damaged leg in the hospital in the person of Mr. Shedrack Ogbonna, we wish to inform you that we have received reports against continuous harrasment and gross human rights violation against one CSP Gabriel Selekere, resident at Akenfa 3 community of yenagoa, Bayelsa state. 

"Mr. Gabriel Selekere has continued to act out of order and continued to harass and intimidate his neighbours and residents around Akenfa 3 community, including the Paramount Ruler of the community who tried to intervene and caution the unwholesome acts of Mr. Gabriel Selekere, a former DPO of Patani division of the Nigeria Police Force, currently working with the Rivers State Command of the force.

"We have it on good authority that Mr. Gabriel Selekere has on several occasions invaded the private residence of his victims and destroyed personal property of unsuspecting neighbours for unscrupulous reasons. Several attempts made by his neighbours to caution this behaviour have failed to yield any reasonable result, as the policeman has continued to use his connections in the police force to frustrate these efforts. 

"Mr. Gabriel Selekere who brandishes his service pistol from time to time to send his message of intimidation has promised to shoot or lock-up his neighbours for good if they would not let him have his way. 

"Reports of the excesses of Mr. Gabriel Selekere has been lodged at several police stations and letters have been addressed to Area Commands, Commissioner of Police, Operation Delta Safe (JTF) and the Inspection General of Police to caution the excesses of Mr. Gabriel Selekere, to no avail. Rather the scenario seems to be getting worse as he has promised to deal decisively with even the community leader of Akenfa community and others who tried to intervene. It, therefore, seems that Mr. Gabriel Selekere seems to believe that he has the absolute power to do and undo anyone that displeases him over any domestic or social matter, and would go to any length to make sure he has his way.

"This is a dangerous development, as police officers in Bayelsa state who ordinarily should be focusing on serving and protecting the citizens have become the terror.

"Mr. Gabriel Selekere for instance without provocation goes around burning cars, machetting, cutting and destroying the personal property of people living around him for no good reason. He has also vowed that certain residents will meet their untimely death in his hands, promising that it's only a matter of time. Such a case of broad daylight intimidation and intentionally orchestrated outbursts by a public servant in this generation is totally condemned on all fronts, and nothing should prevent the relevant authorities from setting the Disciplinary machinery of the Nigeria Police Force in motion to correct this anomaly, especially with the weight of video and documentary evidence against the alleged suspect. But so far nothing has been done.

"We, therefore, use this medium as an NGO to call on all relevant stakeholders especially the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Police Force to use their good office to rise to the occasion and do the needful to address the situation before it deteriorates any further. This is a serious felony by a police officer and law should take it causes accordingly. The Force should also recollect that this Police Officer is the same man whom as leader of MOPOL in June 2014 shot and killed innocent Nigerians in Ekiti State who had embarked on a peaceful protest.

 

"This same man had declared he would arrest and made good his threat by holding Governor Kayode Fayemi hostage for about 45 minutes at the Ejigbo junction, fired tear gas on the Governor’s car, disarmed and arrested one of the Governor’s security aides.

"We also call on the police to provide the needed financial assistance to Mr. Shedrack Ogbonna in order for the victim to seek ur medical attention abroad as we expect the highest form of professionalism from the force."