Ebonyi Police Command has challenged the State Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor to mention the cell facility where the producers of the viral flogging video are being detained following his petition to the Inspector of Police, IGP Baba Usman over the incident.
The Chairman of NLC in Ebonyi State, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor had called for the release from police custody of the maker (s) of a viral video where security personnel were allegedly flogging civil servants for lateness.
The NLC Chairman alleged that the personal assistant to the State Commissioner for Infrastructure Development and Concession, Chief Romanus Nwasum and his official driver were both arrested and put in detention for doing the video.
Comrade Nwafor in a statement condemned the act and called on the Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman, to order their unconditional release.
He said the union did not see any crime committed, adding that this is an era of citizen journalism.
“NLC condemns in strongest terms the October 4, 2022 incident wherein soldiers allegedly flogged civil servants who reported late to work with horsewhips at the entrance gate of the state’s airport site in Okaleru, Ezza North local government area of the state,” he said.
In his reaction, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chris Anyanwu, condemned the statement by the NLC chairman saying that the Command did not detain Chief Romanus Nwasum or his driver as alleged.
He said: "I refer to an undated Press Statement made by the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State Chapter, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, entitled, " NLC condemns flogging of workers in Ebonyi viral video, seeks release of arrested video makers," and seek to earnestly inform the gentlemen of the Press, the good citizens of Ebonyi State and the general public, that, Ebonyi State Police Command under the leadership of CP Aliyu Garba psc (+), did not at any time detain Chief Romanus Nwasum or his driver as alleged.
"The Command, therefore, challenges the NLC Chairman, Ebonyi State Chapter, to mention the actual Cell facility or Police Division/Outfit where such detention purportedly took place.
"While we await his response, may it please all to know that the State Police Command has been doing everything possible within the limits of its capacity and capability to ensure that its duties and functions are discharged most responsibly and professionally?
"The Command further warns that if the said NLC Chairman fails to indicate where the persons he named were allegedly detained (in any Police Facility), he will be arrested and arraigned for False Information and other concomitant offences, please."
