By Patrick Obia
Information reaching our newsroom has that some peaceful protesters have been picked up by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Despite the downpour, peaceful protesters in Calabar, the Cross River State capital defied the odds to demonstrate against the current economic quagmire.
The protest which began at the Mary Slessor Roundabout, Calabar saw the protesters sing solidarity songs and make their demands known amidst heavy security surveillance stationed at various junctions and routes across the state capital.
While the peaceful demonstrators were marching down to Rabana Roundabout, they were accosted by the police who commanded them to lay flat on the floor. They were flogged countlessly and later thrown into the van and zoomed off to an unknown destination.
An eyewitness said that the arrest of at least ten including CrossRiverWatch Managing Editor, Jonathan Ugbal, happened a few minutes after the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu, Mr. Gill Nsa left the protesters.
The eyewitness further added that the Special Assistant to Governor Otu on General Duties, Barrister Akiba Ekpenyong, was sighted along with the police.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Irene Ugbo, said she was on her way to the scene, adding that she will verify and revert.
The arrest comes after a series of threats issued by the State Government and Governor Bassey Otu, warning against protest in the State.
The nationwide protest is currently ongoing across the 36 States of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) amidst tight and heavily armed security forces.
In Abuja, the FCT, men of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among other paramilitary agencies, have taken over major strategic locations including government properties.
In Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, youths have taken to the streets, mount road blocks.
Like in Calabar, Abuja and Nasarawa State, tranquil atmosphere greets various streets, shops and offices.
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