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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A town crier in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly spreading an inciting political message ahead of the March 18 governorship election.
Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Asaba on Saturday, however, said the message was doctored by unscrupulous political elements to achieve certain objectives.
Edafe said the viral video clip had the town crier speaking at nighttime in Urhobo dialect with doctored English transcription in which a message was sent out to the effect that an unnamed retired senior police officer, directed him to announce that all residents of the community must vote for a particular candidate in the governorship election or in default be “taken to the Police Area Command, beaten to death by the police and buried by the government.”
As result, Edafe said police operatives swooped on the town crier and arrested him for interrogation.
“He admitted that he was merely acting on his own, and that no serving or retired senior police officer gave him such directive.
“He, however, denied any knowledge or involvement in the making of the latest version of the clip with English transcription as not being in line with his earlier message,” Edafe stated.
According to him, “emerging facts revealed that some mischievous elements who were out to cause tension and discontent in the state, edited and magnified the message of the town crier, which he had since retracted, beyond his original intention, added English transcription and put same in the social media, to serve their selfish purpose.
“This is not just malicious but criminal. The command is gradually closing in on characters behind the said video clip, with a view to bringing them before the law.”
Edafe reminded every resident of Delta State that officers and men of the command remained apolitical and committed to the success of the electoral process and would not be used by any individual or group to subvert the popular wish of Deltans, insisting that no citizen would be arrested, harassed or assaulted for exercising his/her franchise.
He equally reminded Deltans of the command’s commitment and readiness to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen, with respect to their freedom of speech and choice of candidates during this electioneering season.
Edafe urged the residents, particularly indigenes of the Orogun community, to come out en-masse and exercise their franchise on Election Day without fear, as modalities had been put in place to ensure that the election on March 18, 2023, was hitch-free.
