PCRC Disowns Planners Of Protest Against Police Brutality In Imo State

Photo : Chairman of Imo PCRC, Chief Bethram Uzodinma and his predecessor, Chima Chukwunyere during the press briefing.

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri

The Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Imo State chapter has declared that it has nothing to do or any links whatsoever with the planned protest against alleged Police brutality, violence and extortion in Imo slated to hold Thursday.

Chairman of Imo PCRC, Evang. Dr. Bethram Uzodinma made this known while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Monday distanced the group from the planned protest.

Our correspondent gathered that the proposed protest is being convened by concerned citizens from Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise LGAs of the state led by one Mr. Wisdom Anyanwu, a concerned citizen.

Uzodinma who noted that although the PCRC admits that there is a high level of Police brutality reported within the Mbaise axis of the state, disclosed that the Committee has taken cogent measures to address the worrying situation before the said protest.

According to him, the leadership of the PCRC had met with Heads of Security agencies in the state, especially the Army and Police, with assurances that the menace would be tackled head-on.

His words, “While we admit that there is corruption, we must trade with caution and this is why we are against the protest and have asked Mbaise people not to honour it.

“We call on the convener, Mr. Wisdom Anyanwu, to call off the protest and allow already set mechanisms for addressing the issues take effect.”

He assured Imo people that in line with his mandate, no resident will be humiliated by the Police under his watch.
The chairman condoled with families of victims of a recent killing by gunmen in Ideato North area and assured Imo residents that security agencies were committed to ending the menace.

Also speaking, immediate past Chairman of the PCRC in Imo, Mr. Chima Chukwunyere, frowned at reports that Police along the Owerri-Umuahia road brutalize youths and forcefully extort money from them.

He reaffirmed the PCRC’s commitment to “ensuring a cordial relationship between the Police and the Nigerian public, “ and assured that with the steps already taken by the committee, Police brutality, extortion, intimidation and violence would be reduced to the barest minimum.

Chukwunyere enjoined Imo residents to discountenance the call for protest which he said could easily be hijacked as the organizers had yet to establish adequate contacts with relevant authorities.”