By Patrick Obia
After pressure from the public, the Police in Cross River State, have released peaceful protesters in Calabar.
The Police squad attached to Governor Bassey Otu and led by his Aide De Camp, DSP Victor Duke led a team of Counter-Terrorism Unit operatives to Marian where the protesters were dispersing under the rain, beat them thoroughly after making them to lay flat on the tar in the downpour before taking them to the State CIID.
Amongst those arrested was CrossRiverWatch Managing Editor, Jonathan Ugbal and a mother of three.
The duo and eight others were made to strip at the State CIID, Anti Robbery Squad (D5) office before they were released to Barrister James Ibor, a Human Rights rights Lawyer.
When contacted, Mr. Jonathan Ugbal who says he wants to talk to his lawyer before heading to the hospital, pointed out that the Police were civil until the team of the Governor arrived.
He also said the Commissioner of Police, CP Augustine Grimah spoke with them before they were released and pleaded that the protest be shelved.
One of the protesters who escaped had told CrossRiverWatch that the arrest was done shortly after the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu, Gill Nsa left them, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Barrister Akiba Ekpenyong was in sight of the arrest.