The Doing Democracy Movement (DDM), a human rights group, has demanded that the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7, Abuja, Joseph Mbu be dismissed. This demand became pertinent after the arrest of African Independent Television journalist Amaechi Anakwue, on Mbu’s orders, for describing the AIG as “controversial”.
The group to Sahara Reporters that they believe Mbu has consistently exceeded his authority, acting with impunity both as commissioner of police in Rivers State and against #BringBackOurGirls campaigners in Abuja.
In Port Harcourt yesterday, DDM convener Anyakwee Nsirimovu condemned Mbu’s actions, saying;
“DDM calls on all social forces in Nigeria and Nigerians of all shades of opinion aharto see the ultimate hazard in discouraging thought, expression, hope and imagination as exemplified in Mbu’s latest act of impunity; as a fundamental threat that must be resisted if we must remain free and our government valuable.”
“The critical danger in this, is that the fear that the state is encouraging AIG Mbu to inflict, breeds repression; that repression breeds hate; that hate menaces stable government; and that the part of safety lies in the opportunity to discuss freely supposed grievances and proposed remedies; and that the fitting remedy for evil counsels is good ones,” he furthered.
“To void citizens from blowing off steam is to quicken the explosion of society. Collectively therefore, we should be united upon insisting that an omnipotent AIG Mbu has no place in civilised policing in Nigeria, therefore, should be dismissed forthwith.”
