Youths protest against SARS in Edo State

Members of the public, youth in Edo State, Tuesday, October 6, 2020 embarked on a peaceful protest against Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) recently restricted by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Adamu Mohammed.

The protest was an expression of anger towards police officers’ continuous harassment and intimation of young people in the state.

The youth who came out in their droves stormed the streets of Benin City, particularly from the Benin-Sapele Road and Upper Sokponba Road to King Square and other adjoining streets to express their displeasure over the activities of SARS officers and their continuous presence in the state despite their ban.

The protesters took over the streets of Benin City in a protest march that caused vehicular traffic on the roads for the time the protest lasted.

According to them, the officers should comply with the IGP’s prohibition of SARS and personnel of other units of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from routine checks on the highways and within cities.

Chairman of Edo All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Campaign Council, John Mayaki, yesterday, denied authorising the publication of any defamatory or libelous material against the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini.

Igini had on Monday instituted a N10 billion libel suit against factional chairman of APC in the state, David Imuse and Mayaki. In a letter signed by his solicitor, A I. Osarenkhoe and addressed to Igini’s counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor in Benin City, Mayaki denied responsibility and liability of the libelous publications.

“Our client categorically denies causing publication of any defamatory or libelous material relating to your client by anyone on any newspaper or article. Consequently, we suggest that you advise your client against embarking on any fruitless legal journey,” the letter said.