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The police in Imo State has confirmed that its officials dispersed protesters on a peaceful march against Governor Rochas Okorocha Administration.
The demonstrators according to the Police did not get the permission to carry out the march.
The protesters were allegedly attacked along Wethral road, Owerri, the Imo State capital by a detachment of policemen as they commenced the march.
The protest, tagged ‘Occupy Imo’, which is expected to last for one week, was called by Imo People’s Action for Democracy, IPAD, against the policies of the Okorocha Administration.
Top on the list of grieviances of the protesters is the erection of statues in Owerri, the state capital, costing millions of Naira, when the state is still owing workers’ salaries and pensions.
They are also opposed to the appointment of the governor’s sister as Commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment.
The group said it had written to the Police and the State Security Service for security during the rally.\
While the SSS gave approval for the rally to hold, the police asked that the rally be shifted till after the yuletide period.
But the group refused, arguing that the Police have no right to stop it from protesting.
The Spokesperson of the Police Command, Andrew Enwerem, said the protesters did not have the permission to protest.
“The duty of Police is to ensure security of lives and property, if they found themselves in friction with Police that is not out of place.”
“Teargas is meant for human beings and not meant for animals. Before you protest you must get permission to march otherwise that will amount to unlawful assembly,” he said.
In a statement on Monday by the coordinator, Aku Obidinma, the group said its members were attacked by Police as they commenced the rally along Wethral Road, Owerri.
“We peacefully commenced our protest this morning from Wethral Road Roundabout in Owerri and were accosted by heavily armed policemen who demanded we stop because the Commissioner of Police did not approve the rally”
“We insisted that we must continue since the law did not say we needed his permission before we could embark on a peaceful protest. As we continued our match, the police descended on us and started beating up the protesters, firing tear gas, confiscated our placards and manhandled even the minors amongst us.”
Continuing the group said, “We wish to inform the world that Imo State has unfortunately become a fascist state where freedom of expression and assembly is no longer guaranteed.”
