Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Director, New Media, Prince Deji Adeyanju has condemned the continuous detention of the Peace Corps of Nigeria Commandant, Mr. Dickson Akoh as well as 49 other members of the corps by the Nigerian police over claim that the group and others like it“were acquiring weapons and conducting covert military training in different locations across the country.”

In a statement made available to newsmen Wednesday, Mr. Adeyanju who said that the continuous detention of the Commandant is illegal also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the security agencies in the country to operate within the limits of the law as stipulated in the constitution.
“I condemn the continued arrest, detention and persecution of the Commandant of the Nigerian Peace Corps, Mr. Dickson Akoh, the Nigerian Police Force. Mr. Akoh was arrested 9 days ago and was not arraigned within 48 hours as stipulated by the provisions of our Constitution.”

“This is the second time the Nigerian Police are arresting Mr. Akoh in less than a month. A few weeks ago he was arrested along with 49 members of the organization during an operation that was characterized by indiscriminate violence on the part of the police. During their incarceration, several members sustained severe injuries while being tortured and were admitted at the Trauma Care Centre of the National Hospital, Abuja.”

“It is unfortunate that the indiscriminate arrest, detention without charge or conviction and torture/brutalization of Nigerian citizens have become a recurring decimal under the President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“I condemn the increasing, and often unnecessary, high-handedness on the Nigerian security agencies which are often characterized by a wanton disregard for the rule of law, a refusal to obey court orders, the indiscriminate arrest & detention of Nigerians, the brutalization of Nigerians which often goes un-investigated and unpunished, as well as the application of undue force which often results in the deaths of Nigerians.”
“The nature of the operations of the Nigerian Police under the current administration has become increasingly unacceptable and as a people we refuse to accept it.”

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately compel the Nigerian Police, and indeed all security agencies, to apply a greater degree of professionalism and restraint in the conduct of their duties.”

“I also urge President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Nigerian Police to either charge Mr. Akoh to court immediately or to release him unconditionally in accordance to the laws of our land.”

“God bless Nigeria.”