The Nigeria Police Headquarters has summoned Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce for leading a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja and the Nigeria Police.
The three lawmakers, alongside other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus had on Friday led a protest to demand the cancellation of the just concluded gubernatorial polls in Osun State.
There are claims that during the protest, the PDP leaders were allegedly harassed and tear gassed by security operatives, which led to a mild scuffle.
“I have just been teargassed by the Police at INEC office. Gunshots have been fired. This was still a peaceful protest. How can I be treated like this in a country I have fought for and invested in? This is madness, I came with words they answered with bullets,” Murray-Bruce said.
He added: “We will peacefully struggle to get his stolen mandate restored to him.”
Senator Melaye also posted pictures of himself and a Police officer on his Twitter handle in a tussle during which he said he was physically molested..
“Evidence of the attack on me by the Police. I was molested physically and tear gassed. We demand Justice,” he tweeted.
Following this accusation by the PDP leaders, the Spokesman for the Police, Jimoh Moshood released a statement, alleging that they disrupted public peace and public safety. He also said the protesters forcefully entered the Force Headquarters to damage and destroy Police equipment and Government property.
“Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce who were captured on camera to have been involved in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari Way for several hours, preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway,” Moshood said.
He added: “The Inspector General of Police has directed an immediate investigation into this unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Force Headquarters premises which is against the law and condemnable.
The statement therefore ordered the PDP leaders to report themselves to the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday,October 8, 2018 for investigation.
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