The Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) alleges that about 30 of its members were arrested by armed police during a meeting in GRA, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Sunday afternoon. The organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Victor Moses, disclosed the incident in a signed statement released on Sunday, titled “Release our members now, Atiku Support Organisation tells Gov Wike.” The statement, which was made available to the press, explained that the gathering was part of preparations for the Peoples Democratic Party presidential rally scheduled for 11 February 2023.
According to the statement, the police operation began at approximately 2 p.m. when armed officers in six Toyota Hilux vehicles, identified as belonging to the Intelligence Unit, surrounded Plot No 3—commonly known as “White House”—on Omerelu Street, near the Salvation Ministries headquarters in G.R.A. The venue was being used by state and local government leaders of ASO for the rally preparations. The statement claims the officers acted on instructions from Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
The ASO report says that, realizing the police intended to halt the meeting, some members fled through a fence, sustaining injuries from barbed wire. Over 30 members, including many women who hold state and LGA leadership positions, were arrested and taken away in two white Hilux vehicles belonging to the intelligence unit. Four additional heavily armed Hilux trucks sealed off the meeting site, which is located directly behind the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt. The organisation notes that none of the phone numbers provided for the arrested individuals are currently reachable.
ASO called on Governor Wike to release the detained members immediately and to end what it described as his “do‑or‑die politics of bitterness” and the instigation of violence against supporters of Atiku Abubakar. The group also appealed to Inspector‑General of Police Usman Baba to order the release of its members, to curb what it termed “political rascality” in Rivers State, and to prevent a “bloodbath” during the upcoming election, emphasizing that Rivers residents should be free to make their political choices.
When approached for comment, Grace Iringe‑Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, said she had not received any report of the incident. Attempts to contact the state Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, were unsuccessful; he did not answer several phone calls or respond to a text message at the time of this report.
Comments are closed for this story.