Outrage as soldiers, police take over Owukpa community, brutalize, threaten to shoot people for disobeying COVID-19 lockdown order

Some security personnel yesterday invaded Owukpa, a community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State and brutalized people for allegedly disobeying the stay-at-home order.

Owukpa shares boundaries with Ebonyi and Enugu States.

Recall that the Governor Samuel Ortom had directed residents of the state to stay at home to avoid the spread of coronavirus disease.

The governor specifically warned that markets, schools, churches and other social gatherings should be put on hold pending when the situation is contained.

However, some security personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army and Police, yesterday stormed the community to enforce the lockdown order.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the officers, who were armed to their teeth, allegedly brutalized people who allegedly flouted the executive order.

A resident of the community, who gave his name as Okoh, said that the injured his brother who was seen driving towards Otiagwu junction.

“They came to my shop where I used to charge for and took my generator and MP3. Meanwhile, during a meeting we had in the palace of Och’Ehaja Chief Ocheme, it was agreed that those selling food items, drugs and phone accessories should be exempted. I wonder why they seized my equipment.

“The state government should call them to order. This is getting out of hand. They way they are manhandling people is terrible.”

Similarly, the Publicity Secretary of Owukpa Youth, Emmanuel Agbo, raised similar alarm over the presence of soldiers in the community.

he wrote, “Those soldiers for Owukpa eeh. Wetin Owukpa people dey see for police hand now, Nnwerihor no see. Stay home.” (sic).

Another resident of the community, who gave his name as Ejeh, said the security personnel shot into the air severally while insulting Owukpa girls.

“When they came, we tried to explain to them that we were coming from farm but they refused to listen to us. In fact, one of the, threatened to shoot me when I tried to challenge them.

“They shot into the air and were singing ‘Owukpa girls are dirty, they don’t know how to wash their undies.”