…Group Demands Immediate Prosecution

The Edo State Police Command has allegedly arrested seven thugs involved in the siege laid at the Edo Assembly complex on Thursday

The arrest was allegedly made yesterday when the Police responded to an emergency call from 17 elected members of the Edo Assembly who came under attack by thugs.

The thugs identified as Festus Agbonrenren, 25 years, Odion Osayande, 23 years, Ogbeiwe Wilfred,52 years, Morgan Uwaigboe (47 years, Osayomore Salami, 25 years, Ifeoluwa Oladele, 36 years, and Iginobaro Collins, 26 years, were arrested with five double-barrel long guns, two single barrel long guns, and ten live cartridges within the premises of the Assembly complex.

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Sources have confirmed that the arrested thugs have all confessed that they were mobilized by a top serving politician.

When contacted on the said arrest, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwanbuzor said he has not been properly briefed and that he has not been given permission to speak on the incident.

Meanwhile, an activist group in Edo State, Democracy For All, has condemned the actions and demanded an immediate prosecution of the arrested thugs and their sponsors.

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In a statement released on Friday morning, the group denounced the invasion of the Assembly Complex as an ‘egregious crime and affront on the constitution and the rule of law’, insisting that the arrested thugs, who have confessed to the act be made to face the wrath of the law alongside their accomplice no matter how highly-placed.

The statement reads in part, “Our first demand goes to the Police and it is to immediately commence processes for the prosecution of the arrested thugs and their direct sponsors.”

“Their prosecution will signal to the world that Nigeria is neither home to criminality nor a jungle where appointees of government can break the law at will and threaten law and order through the sponsorship of thuggery, violence, and unfortunate contribution to arms proliferation.”

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