Pandemonium on Wednesday pervaded Koko headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State following a peaceful protest against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Koko Police Station, SP Othuke Omenuwoma, over an alleged incessant illegal arrest of residents of the town.
The protest which started at about 9:am Wednesday morning saw the Olare-Aja of Koko, Pa. Richwell Atsenuwa, members of the Elders Council, women and youths come out in large numbers, brandishing different placards with various inscriptions such as “Koko Police DPO must go”.
They alleged further that the DPO is causing crisis and perverting justice in Koko.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, Pa. Atsenuwa, alleged that SP Omenuwoma is shielding some suspects who were fingered in an attempted murder case even when the Inspector-General of Police had recommended that the suspects should be charged to court.
“We want the DPO to be posted out of Koko Community because he is the one causing crisis in Koko. The DPO is shielding some persons who are meant to be charged to court for attempted murder as recommended by the Inspector-General of Police.
“Instead, the DPO is framing up innocent residents of Koko for arrest in order to prevent the community from prosecuting the suspects who brought armed thugs to attack the community,” said Pa. Atsenuwa.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, DSP Bright Edafe, told NewsNet Nigeria that the particular case in question that led to the protest was transferred from Force CID for the DPO Koko Police Station to investigate adding that the Olare-Aja of Koko, Pa. Richwell Atsenuwa, instigated the protest because the actions being taken by the DPO do not favour him.
“He (Pa. Richwell Atsenuwa) said the DPO does not have the right to arrest anybody without his permission and because the DPO is not dancing to his tone he mobilised boys to protest,” said the PPRO.
