By David Akpu, Abakaliki

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations known as Save Ebonyi Group has staged a protest over political oppression in Ebonyi and demanded the removal of Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Garba Aliyu, for allegedly collaboration with the state government in undermining the opposition parties in the State.

The group members carried placards with different inscriptions
such as “Oganihu Ebonyi rejects Umahi’s tyranny, shut down the Ebubeagu torture chamber now, Inspector General of Police, send CP Aliyu Garba away from Ebonyi, Democracy on trial in Ebonyi state, etc.

Addressing Journalists during the protest, that was held on Saturday, the leaders of the group, Dr. Laz Ude Eze representing Oganihu Ebonyi Movement and Engr. Chinedum Elekwachi representing Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) lamented that under the watch of CP Aliyu Garba opposition parties had continued to experience harassment, intimidation and attacks by the agents of the state government.

Part of the Group’s Press statement reads: “The State has undoubtedly become a war zone orchestrated by State agents under the directive of the governor. There has been consistent and shameful disregard to the rule of law, intimidation, abduction and torture of innocent citizens, as well as oppression of the opposition.”

“The Government which doesn’t tolerate opposition in the state has gone ahead to ban meetings of the opposition Political Parties in the state”

“We arise to alert President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians and the whole world in particular on the disturbing issues in our dear state, and call for the rescue of our people”.

“That the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Aliyu because of his known collaboration with the state government in undermining the opposition in the state”.

“That the IGP, Usman Baba order a very diligent investigation with a tactical team under his direct supervision into the allegations of a torture chamber existing in Ebonyi old Government House, Abakaliki with a view to freeing the trapped victims”.

“That Hon. Linus Okorie and other illegally detained personalities should be unconditionally released because anything beyond that will be an invitation to turmoil in the State.