Adebayo Adenrele
The Abia State Police Command has invaded a television and radio,identified as ABN TV /Radio station and apprehended a guest during a live programme at the studio, in Umuahia.
The police who were said to be attached to the Umuahia Area Command, allegedly destroyed equipment and other properties worth millions of Naira at the station.
According to the Director, ABN TV/Radio Station,Umuahia,Chief Ifeanyi Okali, said that the Police claimed that they came to arrest a guest ,Udensi Donald, who was on a live programme at the station, following a petition written against him by his elder brother,Uche Onwuka Udensi, over a family matter.
His words; “We are worried by the invasion of our broadcast station in Umuahia by the Nigerian Police. The policemen said they are from the Umuahia Area command.We are worried that our police have no regard for laws and professionalism,that policemen could still invade a private broadcast station and disrupt a live programme.
“The policemen said they came to arrest our guest, one Mr. Udensi Donald who was on a live programme.
“The police claimed that a senior brother to the guest, one Mr Uche Onwuka Udensi had written a petition against him over a family matter. Several plea by our staff to allow the programme come to an end before the guest could be arrested were not heeded. They invaded the studio and arrested him while the live programme was ongoing. We find this act by the overzealous policemen as provocative,reckless and unprofessional. It clearly also negates the enhanced police-civil relations which the Commissioner of Police, CP Kene Onwuemeile has consistently advocated for. It is shameful that the policemen officers even barricaded the door and harassed, intimidated and threatened to detain our staff.
“We also want to put on record, that during the gestapo arrest, many of our broadcast equipment including laptops, camera, microphones and midgets were damaged beyond repair. We find this as an attack on press freedom and human rights.We are also calling for compensation on the affected equipment. From all indications, the policemen were not properly schooled on best approaches to relate with the civil populace in a democratic environment where the media plays a key role to enhance their relations with the generality of the society.”
The Station further demanded an apology and compensation from the police over its damaged equipment.
“ABN TV/Radio demands an open apology from the Police in Abia over this unprovoked attack in our station. The attack has left us with huge financial losses following the damage of our equipment. We are also calling for the replacement of the affected equipment.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, ASP Maureen Chinaka said the command is currently investigating the matter and assured that the right action will be taken.
“We are currently investigating the situation in the video. Be rest assured that this situation will be properly handled and the right action will be taken. We urge the public to remain calm.” She said
