Ekpoma crisis: CRPP lambasts Okpebholo, demands release of arrested students
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The CRPP also blamed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s style of governance for not being proactive to the longtime cry of Edo citizens against the taking over our bushes, farms, highways by the terrorists, bandits and killer herdsmen in Edo State.
By Jethro Ibileke
More condemnations have trailed the arrest and remand of 52 students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, over last weekend’s protest by some students and youths over incessant kidnapping and killing in the area.
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), in a statement on Tuesday joined voice to the demand for the immediate release of the students.
The Coalition in its statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, also condemned the hijacking of the peaceful protest by hoodlums.
The statement read in part:
“The Coalition condemned the mishandling of the protest that took place at Ekpoma and environs by the government.
“CRPP calls for the immediate release of the students clamped into the Nigeria Correctional Service. We condemn the mode of arrest of students in their various hostels by the security agencies.
“We also condemned the hijacking of the peaceful protest by hoodlums who turned the peaceful protest to violent, destruction of properties of innocent citizens particularly the Enogie of Ekpoma Palace. It is condemnable and unwarranted.”
The CRPP also blamed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s style of governance for not being proactive to the longtime cry of Edo citizens against the taking over our bushes, farms, highways by the terrorists, bandits and killer herdsmen in Edo State.
He went on: “They [bandits] now have the temerity to enter the towns and villages to kidnap our people from house to house. It is horrendous and this is a state that has a Governor.”
Isibor lambasted Governor Okpebholo for allegedly “junketing in a helicopter across the troubled areas”, describing the move as laughable.
“It could be recalled time without number, we advised the government to set up the Amotekun Security Network, like that of the South West Zone, the governor never heed our advice. Even the so called Edo Security Network he set up were never paid any salaries or equipped them for the risk job they are to do,” he alleged.
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