Ben Pemii/Bori
The Newspaper Distributors Association of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter has laid bitter complains about what it describes as incessant police harassment on her members Port Harcourt. Speaking to Town Crier News in Bori, the NDAN president, Comrade John Nwizugbee, lamented that in recent times uncountable cases of harassment against the Association’s members in Port Harcourt has been all time high.
He narrated how police officers seized and destroyed newspapers and magazines of her members and particularly noted how some members of the Association were illegally detained at the Kala Police Station and upon stern intervention, the members were released late at night.
Answering questions on what the cause of the harassment is, he said there is no justifiable cause whatsoever, a thing that has led to the Association’s exco to seek audience with the Police Commissioner in the state. He noted that several attempts to meet with the CP haven’t born fruitful results as the meetings never held. Comrade Nwizigbee however noted that should all means of amicable resolution of the matter fails, the Association will be left with no other option than to put up a peaceful demonstration to press home their demands. He noted that although Wednesday April 18th was a set date for the planned protest, issues were still in the workings to explore all means for a dialogal approach.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni, was not available to comment on the issue as at Press Time.