EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT Umunede DPO must go – Protesters Demand removal Umunede DPO over alleged extortion, high-handedness

*Angry protesters insist his negligence led to death of sick man on his way to hospital.

*Cause traffic gridlock on Asaba-Umunede-Agbor-Benin  Expressway

BY DANIEL EFE

Angry protesters youths who were determined to put an end to the alleged unprofessionalism of Police Officers deployed to Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State,  on Monday July 6, 2020 came out in their large numbers to protest against what they described as incessant extortion, intimidation, harassment, unlawful arrest and aberrant bails.

An Eyewitness who was trapped in the melee sent to our Correspondent through WhatsApp what Motorists and travellers went through on day of the protest.

The protesters left their various houses early and barricaded and other access roads to the community for many hours, crippling commercial activities.

The heat of the protest which lasted for over four hours also created traffic jam along the new  Asaba-Umunede-Agbor-Benin   Expressway in Umunede, as the protesters accused Umunede Divisional Police Officer, DPO,Superintendent Patrick Uebari of collaborating with his men to extort residents and drivers on a daily basis.

Umunede Divisional Police Officer in Ika North East Local Government Area, SP Patrick Uebari in response to the peaceful protest was to lead his men to shoot sporadically in the air, chasing protesters who were calling for his removal on Monday, July 6, 2020.

SP Uebari’s attitude has been condemned by many who said it was a peaceful protest, which does not call for such life threatening response, thanking God that no life was lost in the process. The protesters include both old and young in Umunede.

The protesters carried placards which read, “Enough is Enough,” “Umunede DPO Must Go,” “We are tired of him and we say no to his fraudulent acts,” “Bailing now a lucrative business for the DPO” “Intimidation and unnecessary arrest must stop” and “Wicked DPO.”

According to the Eyewitness,”The protest was triggered by the delay of a vehicle that was conveying a sick man to the hospital, which eventually led to the victim’s death.”
 They also accused the Police of disrespecting the traditional ruler, stakeholders and the entire residents of Umunede kingdom, and therefore called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Hafiz Muhammed to as a matter of urgency transfer SP Patrick Uebari to avoid crisis in the kingdom.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Lucky Onaro, said SP Uebari was the first Umunede DPO that has shown no respect for the people. According to him, “SP Uebari has failed in his duties to protect lives and properties, and he has no regard for the people of his jurisdiction. We are protesting over the constant intimidation and extortion by the Police and we are therefore appealing to the Inspector General of Police in and Commissioner of Police Delta State for his immediate removal, before he instigates crisis in Umunede.

“The curfew and laws initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic gave the DPO the opportunity to enrich himself through his men, the vigilantes and Anti-cult group. Without mincing words, the police cells are always over crowded every night, thereby going against the Social Distancing and avoidance of overcrowded places order of the government.

“SP Uebari has not only made our Police Station a money making centre, but also an avenue to easily spread COVID-19 infection.

“Travelers that ply Umunede highway have suffered so much in the hands of SP Uebari and his men, to the extent that they seek POS for easy money transfer from those who do not have enough money with them to bail themselves.

“SP Uebari money consciousness is alarming. For us to remain at peace in our own community, we are appealing that he should be removed as DPO, Umunede Police Division”.

Continuing, Onaro said what triggered the protest was that a sick man who was being rushed to the hospital on the night of Sunday July 5, 2020 gave up the ghost in the car conveying him to the hospital because of the delay caused by Police Officers on road block.

Also speaking to Journalists, one of the protesters who pleaded anonymity reiterated the protest was triggered by the death of a young man who was being rushed to the hospital, but the vehicle conveying him was delayed by SP Patrick Uebari, eventually leading to the death of the victim.

According to him, “The Police delaying the vehicle conveying sick man and harassment by SP Patrick Uebari, eventually leading to the death of the victim”.

According to him, “The Police are harassing and intimidating us. They carry out unlawful arrest on the people and drivers, who because of the curfew park their vehicles by the roadside along Asaba-Umunede-Agbor-Benin express way. The worst of it all was that they were shooting at us when we were carrying out our peaceful protest. The DPO extorts money from innocent people, arrests and collects #200,000, #250,000 as bail.

SP Patrick Uebari leading his team to ward off angry protesters advancing to the Divisional Police headquarters, Umunede, Delta State.

“This is ungodly and unacceptable. SP Patrick Uebari has come to destabilize everything in our kingdom. Umunede kingdom is known for peace and hospitality, but this man has come to make life miserable for us. He does not have respect for the traditional ruler, stakeholders, and the entire people of Umunede. He works in isolation.“He must go. He caused the death of a patient who was being conveyed to the hospital. The victim’s car was delayed and asked to turn back. This triggered off the protest. He is evil and heartless. We do not want him again in Umunede. The Police Commissioner should transfer him as quick as possible to avoid crisis.”

Another protester who gave her name as Nwanyi Abagana, a widow, said the DPO and his men have arrested her three times. According to her, “Every evening, the DPO and his officers, including Anti-Cult, Vigilante, and Anioma Security Watch will always come out to exploit and extort the people.

She demanded that The DPO should leave our kingdom. We do not want him again.” She called on the Police Commissioner to oust the DPO from Umunede, saying that he is heartless and corrupt.

“In the same vein, many persons in their respective responses recounted their ugly experiences in the police cell and how they have spent N5,000, to N20,000 and above to bail themselves, their motorcycles and cars for breaching the curfew order.”

However, it was difficult getting the response of SP Patrick Uebari and Delta State Police Command, Asaba.