Benin, Edo – The leadership of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO) has faulted the arrest and detention of human rights activist, Omobude Agho, by the Zone-5 of the Nigerian Police Force, over an online publication the activist made recently.

The CSOs in a statement issued Tuesday by it interim spokesperson, Aliyu Umweni, described the police action as unprofessional and a breach of human rights.

"We are utterly disappointed at the way and manner the zone 5 of the Nigeria Police Force has handled a petition written by a Deputy Commissioner of Police attached to the zone alleging Leftist Omobude Agho, a foremost civil rights activist of alledged cyber stalking and defamation of character over a publication made by the latter wherein nobody's name in publication was mentioned.

"Sometimes in the month of March, 2024, Leftist Omobude Agho made a publication online regarding how a certain Dominic Edobor, a former youth leader of Ugbineh community of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state had become an overlord using the police to harass and intimidate elders and members of the community. The publication further went on to state how the same Dominic often openly boasts of having a certain female DCP in zone 5 at his bell and call to oppress whoever crosses his way.

"In all and parts of the publication, no name of a DCP was specifically mentioned. It was just a reported speech by Leftist Omobude Agho over the issues going on at Ugbineh community and statements by Dominic, the former youth leader on his supposed police backing at AIG, ZONE 5.

"From all indications, the petition against Leftist Omobude Agho by a female DCP in zone 5 points to the fact that, there is no dark smoke without a fire. If she isn't guilty as promoted by Dominic, why would she be writing a petition over a publication that her name wasn't mentioned?", The statement partly read

They called for immediate and unconditional release of the former coordinator general of the organization from police detention.

According to the CSOs, "We are demanding the immediate release of Leftist Omobude Agho from police detention as the petitioner and the police should look for a better way of clearing their names if there seemed to be any accusation.

"Not too long ago, same zone 5 arrested the national chairman of Labour Party in the most condemned manner in Benin City. Is it that, the current Assistant Inspector General of zone 5 has lost grip with the operations of the zone?

"Leftist Omobude Agho was denied bail even though more than enough sureties were on ground to take him on bail. This too had shown that zone 5 has a special interest on the matter. Zone 5 cannot be a judge in its own case.

"The rate some.police officers have become so involved in community related crisis is becoming worrisome to the civil society community. The tacit supports to some of the youth leaders who has a lot of money from proceeds of land sales to throw around is creating crisis in different communities in Edo state.

"Flowing from the incident of the national chairman of Labour Party recently and the current one of Leftist Omobude Agho, it will be the most appropriate time for zone 5 to be rejigged and competent hands should be brought on board before it further embarrasses the police as an institution.

"Leftist Omobude Agho should be released unconditionally as we will not allow the police to continue to intimidate and oppress him over what is not. It's the height of unprofessionalism and the bereft of cognitive reasoning."