Some youths in Owo local government area of Ondo State yesterday staged a peaceful protest against what they described as indiscriminate arrests, extortion of money and harassment of the residents by men of the State Police Special Anti-Cultism Squad.
The aggrieved youths, who gathered as early as 8 a.m, marched to the palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi (III), singing anti-government songs.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as “We need help, not hurt”, Anti-Cultist squad are scammers, not security agents”, “no more innocent arrest in our land”, among others.
They were attended to by the chiefs of Olowo before taking their protest to the Palace of Ojomo of Ijebu Owo land, Oba Kofoworola Oladoyinbo.
Oladoyinbo appealed to the youths not to allow the protest to lead to break down of law and order.
He promised to intervene in the matter and bring a lasting solution to it.
A woman, Mrs. Bisi Adeniseun, who claimed her husband and two children were arrested by the anti-cultism squad, lamented over the indiscriminate arrest and extortion of money from people by the security agents.
While, describing the action as unwarranted and barbaric, she said the squad should be called to order to avoid breakdown of law and order.
Also, one the youth leaders, Mr Olatunde Oponsun said they can no longer sleep in their houses with their two eyes closed because of the fear of being arrested at night.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph denied the allegations.
Joseph explained that some of the residents attempted to prevent the police from arresting a suspected cultist in the town.
He added that the police eventually arrested the suspect and he had been charged to court.
He, however, urged the people to report any police officer found extorting money from them.
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