June 12: Osun Civil Societies Condemn Alleged Harassment Of Members By Policemen

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition has condemned in strong term the harassment of strong members of the organization, by overzealous policemen during the celebration of June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, today.

At the entrance of the hall for the June 12 Lecture, according to the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Comrade Waheed Saka (Mao), Olowu Emmanuel and Awal Lawal were harassed and slapped by the policemen.

While Comrade Awal Lawal was slapped by one of the policemen, Comrade Waheed Saka was harassed and threatened by the policemen who were apparently acting on the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode.

Comrade Waheed Saka’s clothe was tore when he was harassed by about four policemen.

The Coalition Chairman while reacting on the issue in a statement condemned the conduct of the policemen at the venue of the event.

Lawal said: “We considered the conducts of the policemen as a threat to every member of the Civil Society organisations in Osun State and a slapped on the democracy we are celebrating today.

“The action of the policemen was uncalled for. It refreshes our memories of the dark days of the military era which was characterised by gross abuse of human rights and extra-judicial killing.

“We called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, to call the Commissioner of Police in Osun to order. Through out our procession, there was no any misconduct or harassment of any security agent from our members that could provoke the uncivilised conduct towards our comrades.

“We would not tolerate any act of intimidation and abuse of human rights from the police. The IGP should cautioned his men against any act that can trigger another massive protest against the police in Osun.

“We are peace loving people and we will continue to support the police in the fight against insecurity. But the police should be civilized in their conducts.