By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Following the launching of ‘Operation Restore Peace’ in Rivers State on Wednesday by the Nigerian Police, residents of the State have appealed to the Police not to use the security outfit to harass them.
Speaking to TPCN in Port Harcourt in reaction to the new security initiative, the residents recalled that most times when such security outfits are set up, policemen hide under its guise to harass the masses.
“It’s not the first time that kind of thing is happening.
“They will set up a security team and say it’s for criminals but after they will turn it against we the ordinary people. “That is why this one is not moving me. We suppose to be happy about it if they want to use it and fight criminals but let it not be that tomorrow now they start using it to harass the innocent people like SARS,” Stephen, a taxi driver, said.
Gloria Wedeh, Coordinator of Excellent Life Int’l, an interdenominational ministry, expressed similar worry.
She said past experiences in the hands of the police have made people to be cautious in celebrating initiatives such as Operation Restore Peace, adding that despite being a good idea, chances are that its members may still lose focus like others before it.
She added: “Yes, I have been hearing about this Operation Restore Peace on the radio, that’s how I knew that it will be launched today in Port Harcourt. It’s a good effort because the federal government wants to use it to restore fight these unknown gunmen so that there will be peace. But after fighting the criminals, what next? Won’t they turn around and start fighting the citizens, like harassing, intimidating, extorting them?
“You know these things have happened in the past. Look at SARS, look at E-CRACK and others. Look at how they’re intimidating the people. The other time one boy, an undergraduate was talking on radio how E-Crack forced him to pay them N150,000 or so. And just yesterday, one other boy complained on Nigeria Info how the police, whether SARS or so picked him from a car and accused him of being a criminal because of his dreadlocks, then took him inside and forced him to cough out N200,000.
“All these things are making people to lose confidence in the police. Let’s just pray that this Operation Restore Peace will focus on bringing real peace to our society and will not be used to terrorise the innocent masses. We have to keep on praying for them because it’s not easy. The Bible says that by strength shall no man prevail.”
A trader at Mile 1, who pleaded anonymity, also expressed reservations about the new security outfit, Operation Restore Peace. According to him, peace is good but the process of achieving it matters a lot.
“I heard about the Operation Restore Peace on radio and I was happy because if there is peace, all this curfew will not be there. The curfew is affecting our business. So, we need the pray so that the curfew will stop. But I want to beg the police, please they should face the real criminals and not the innocent people. “The case of Chima Ikwunado is still there in our mind. “He was innocent but Eagle Crack killed him. We don’t want that kind of thing again. All this harassment should stop,’ he said.
TPCN learnt that Operation Restore Peace was launched yesterday at the Civic Center, Port Harcourt, with the aim of fighting the recent onslaught by unknown gunmen in Rivers State.
