Soldiers from the Nigerian Army 3 Battalion in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State apprehended Mr. Dele Fasan, the South-South Bureau Chief of Galaxy Television, during the early hours of Friday for filming video clips amidst a planned labour protest in the area.
Additionally, they took Comrade Israel Joe, a human rights activist, to a nearby military barracks after a minor altercation between him and other activists, including Kelvin Ejumudo. However, the protest scheduled for the Delta metropolis was canceled following discussions among key stakeholders on Thursday night.
The incident involving the television journalist occurred at the popular DSC roundabout in Effurun, where witnesses reported that the soldiers assaulted him. Fasan was detained in the presence of a police team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola. However, he was later released following the intervention of Adesola and his colleagues, who appealed to Army Commander Major AE Ohegbe.
Fasan, speaking to reporters afterward, stated that he was attempting to capture footage of the protest scene, which was already under heavy security presence when the soldiers confronted him. He praised the prompt intervention of DCP Aina Adesola in resolving the situation.
He said, “The military were not civil at all during the protest. But the police led by DCP Aina Adesola, the Navy, the DSS, and NSCDC operatives were civil as they all intervened and I was released”.
Fasan elaborated, stating that Major Ahegbe, the Army Commander, apologized to him after the unfortunate incident occurred.
Additionally, addressing reporters, Comrade Kelvin Ejumudo, the National Secretary of the Human Rights Protection Congress, mentioned that Civil Society Organizations mobilized to prevent the protest from taking place due to nationwide threats.
“We don’t want any protest at all because when it happens, people will lose their properties. People will lose their money”, he said.
“While we were at the protest venue, we had the proponent (Israel Joe) of the protest for selfish reasons come here, and we had a one-on-one rift and he had been taken away by security operatives.
“I will not condone any idea of protest in this state because, at the moment, Nigeria is volatile,” he added.
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