Drama As EFCC, Pro/Anti-Yahaya Bello Protesters Clash In Abuja

Drama ensued at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday as operatives of the agency clashed with supporters of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello,

This is even as the pro-EFCC protesters were welcomed by the commission when they came for solidarity protests.

In a video sighted by OSUN DEFENDER, the protesters were seen running helter-skelter from police arrest in Abuja, the country’s capital city.

The protesters were said to have gathered at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, telling the commission to obey a subsisting court order which prevented any further arrest of the former Kogi governor.

Reporters had to scramble for safety as some of the pro-Yahaya Bello protesters were allegedly rough-handled.

The head of the Kogi Youth Coalition, Otitoleke Richard, who spoke with journalists during the protest said, “We are here this morning at the headquarters of EFCC in Abuja, addressing a topical national issue that has to do with the rule of law, the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“We have been intimidated; we have been harassed. The EFCC is saying we do not have the right to express our opinion on national issues. We have been shot at; they have used their sticks to beat ordinary Nigerians that are harmless.

“We shall continue to air our opinion for democracy to thrive in Nigeria. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. We’re saying the rule of law must be applied in all corruption files. You cannot fight corruption with lawlessness,” he said.

Another protester, who simply identified himself as Malik, said it was unfortunate that peaceful protests that were the right of every Nigerian had now been made selective by the commission.

“Why didn’t they attempt to disperse those Igala boys that protested against the former governor. Can you imagine? EFCC allegedly sponsoring Muri Ajaka’s boys to come and support them and call Yahaya Bello out?

“Nigerians should not be fooled to think anybody is fighting any corruption. They just want him out. Period. But we are saying they can’t disgrace him. He has done more than any governor for us in Kogi State and all these people know. This will not make us afraid of asking for our rights. We will continue,” he said.

Recounting what transpired, another protester, Abdulmajid Wahab, said security operatives also destroyed one bus and impounded two others.

“They said the leader of the protest should come and bail the two vehicles. And that they want to charge the 10 people to court,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Spokesman for the commission, Dele Oyewale said its operatives never shot at the pro-Yahaya Bello protesters who stormed its headquarters on Monday in Abuja

Oyewale told the News Agency of Nigeria that there was no shooting at any protester at the commission on Monday.

He said the operatives only dispersed the protesters who went to the commission’s headquarters to disrupt activities.

”No arrests were made as claimed by the group.

“Two groups demonstrated at the commission today. The first group came with a letter of commendation in support of the EFCC anti-corruption fight.

”They presented their letter, which was received by the Director of Public Enlightenment Department, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who promised to deliver their message to the chairman.

”Not quite long, another group came, these people were violent and destructive, the men of the commission had to chase them away.

“Nobody was arrested and there was no shoot out,” he said.