Sowore demands removal of Kogi CP over arrest of govt critics

Presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has demanded the removal of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Nasiru Bello Kankarofi, over what he called repeated arrest of critics of the state government under his watch.

The human rights activist made the demand in an X post on Monday.

Sowore’s comment comes following the reported arrest of a University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) lecturer, Elijah Olorunsuwa, by policemen attached to the Kogi State Police Command.

Olorunsuwa, a social commentator, said he was arrested on Wednesday at his residence in Ilorin, Kwara State and whisked to Kogi, but later released.

The lecturer said his arrest was linked to a petition allegedly written by Jerry Omodara, security adviser to the Kogi state government.

Omodara was said to have accused the critic of using social media to consistently make “false allegation and publications” against the state government, the latest being on the award of the Kabba-Oke-Offin-Olle-lluke road project.

Reacting, Sowore alleged that the Kogi CP has “severally facilitated political intimidation” and should therefore be relieved of his post.

The activist said, “The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Nasiru Bello Kankarofi, must be removed from office over his repeated arrests and detention of citizens and political critics in the state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“The Nigeria Police Force must never become an instrument for suppressing free speech, silencing dissent or settling political scores on behalf of any governor.

“Kogi citizens have constitutional rights to speak, criticize their government, organize and peacefully dissent. Those rights are not privileges to be granted or withdrawn by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo or the Commissioner of Police.

“The CP has severally facilitated political intimidation under this command demand that CP Nasiru Bello Kankarofi must go!”