By Flourish Osetohanmen
The Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Edo State branch, has protested what it described as the attack and arrest of the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Collins Aigbogun, by the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
Aigbogun was said to have been invited by the Police on Monday to explain his alleged involvement in acts of violence during one of the campaign rally in his local government, but was allegedly arrested and taken to Abuja on Tuesday morning.
Addressing journalists at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State chapter, the Chairman of Edo State Chapter of ALGON and Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Hon. Newman Ugiagbe, franked by his colleagues condemned the the attack and arrest and called on the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Iwo,and other security agencies to as a matter of urgency investigate, arrest and prosecute those who attacked Hon. Collins Aigbogun.
According to him, “The Edo State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), strongly condemn the recent assault on the Esan West Local Government Area chairman, Hon. Collins Aigbogun. This blatant act of
Violence is a clear violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.
“ALGON urgently calls upon the relevant security agencies, including the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police Edo State, AIG Zone 5, and all concerned security authorities, to take immediate action in investigating and
bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.
“It is disheartening to note that instead of engaging in a peaceful campaign, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be resorting to violence and intimidation tactics, including unwarranted attacks on PDP members. Such
unprovoked assaults must be addressed swiftly to prevent further attack and ensure a free and fair electoral process.
“ALGON stands firm in its commitment to promoting peace, democracy and the rule of law in Edo State. We call on all stakeholders, political parties, and security agencies to work together to safeguard the rights and safety of all citizens during this crucial period.
He urged the authorities to prioritize the investigation of the assault and hold the culprits accountable for their actions adding, “violence has no place in our democratic society, and we must all strive to uphold the principles of justice and equality for the benefit of all, and we demand the immediate release of Hon. Collins Aigboqun, Chairman Esan West Local Government Council, who is the complainant but suddenly is being victimized by the police from the Force
Headquarters in Abuja.”
Earlier, thousands of women and youths took to the street in Benin-City to also protest the arrest of Hon Collins Aigbogun. The women with placards with different inscriptions, including, “IGP is for Nigerian Police and not APC Police”, “Edo belong to PDP”, “IGP release Hon Collins Aigbogun”, among others, moved from Edo NUJ Secretariat to the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP, Nemi Iwo, confirmed the arrest of the Esan West Local Government Council Chairman, Collins Aigbogun.
Addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Benin, CP Iwo, said that the council boss was brought to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the command in Benin by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area upon police invitation.
He said that Collin Aigbogun upon arriving at the office of the CID was discovered to have earlier been wanted by the police over other alleged criminal charges.
He said: “Yes, he was invited and he reported himself to the police and we later discovered that he has other criminal charges against him.
“Basically, what happened was that he brutalises somebody in the course of altercations between himself and other party members.
“He was invited and the DPO in the area brought him to the State CID where it was discovered earlier before now, he had other charges against him.
“Our men from FID came and said that the man has earlier been wanted and there was now need for them to take him along so that they can investigate his matter.
“That was how he was moved to Abuja. The whole thing is being investigated and I hope that at the end of the day, if there is nothing against him, he will be brought back to Benin”, he disclosed
Speaking on the Command’s readiness for September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the Commissioner of police warned non state actors to stay clear of the poll, saying that they have no business with the election.
He revealed that the police have commenced illegal arms mopping across the 18 local government council areas in the state in order to have a hitch-free election.
“We are mopping up harms across the local government council areas in the state ahead of the election. We request the public to give us information on where we can mop up illegal arms.
“We are going to create an environment where we are going to have a free and fair election and make the environment enabling so that anybody can walk freely without any molestations or intimidations
“I want to reemphasize again as INEC has done earlier that non state actors are not supposed to carry arms and are not part of the election at all.
“So, all that we are doing now before the election is to make sure that we clear all illegal arms as much as we can. The operation is ongoing and I have operatives virtually in all the local government areas now”, he stated.
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