DISPLAY OF INJUSTICE: Lawyer laments Unlawful Arrest of Youth Leader Jeremiah Gabriel, Elijah Gabriel as Obagaji Operation Whirl Stroke Denies Bail

In the letter, Mayowa revealed the brothers were arrested on 18th September, 2021, by the officers attached to Operation Whirl Stroke at Obagaji, Agatu Local Government area of Benue State.

“We were informed that his arrest was due to the Youth Leader’s refusal to allow Fulani Cattle rearers access to Agatu farm Lands which does not go well with certain powerful people who are beneficiaries of the illegal activities of the herdsmen,”  the letter reads in part.

“All efforts by the family members of the detainees as well as their legal representative for the release of the detainees had proved abortive.”

He also said the family members have tried to secure the release of the victims but all efforts proved abortive.

“May we use this medium to call on Operation Whirl Stroke that it has deviated from its responsibility of fighting insecurity in Benue State and its environs by turning into a monster serving the selfish, vested, shameful and unscrupulous interest in Benue State.

“We wish to state categorically that the entire Agatu Youths have planned a peaceful protest against the level of injustice meted on their persons and intends using all available legal conduits to ventilate and seek redress in this matter,” he said.

Full statements:

UNLAWFUL ARREST OF AGATU YOUTH LEADER PASTOR JEREMIAH GABRIEL AND ELIJAH GABRIEL BY OBAGAJI OPERATION WHIRL STROKE, AGATU L.G.A. BENUE STATE

Our attention has been drawn to the unlawful and unwarranted arrest of Agatu Youth Leader, Pastor Jeremiah Gabriel and his younger brother Mr. Elijah Gabriel (both of Oleginalegwu) Usha Ward, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by Operation Whirl Stroke in Obagaji on 18th September, 2021 at about 1:00p.m. (1300hrs) while in Pa-Naira’s burial ceremony at Obagaji, Agatu Local Government Area.

We were informed that his arrest was due to the Youth Leader’s refusal to allow Fulani Cattle rearers access to Agatu farm Lands which does not go well with certain powerful people who are beneficiaries of the illegal activities of the herdsmen.

All efforts by the family members of the detainees as well as their legal representative for the release of the detainees had proved abortive.

May we use this medium to call on Operation Whirl Stroke that it has deviated from its responsibility of fighting insecurity in Benue State and its environs by turning into a monster serving the selfish, vested, shameful and unscrupulous interest in Benue State.

We wish to state categorically that the entire Agatu Youths have planned a peaceful protest against the level of injustice meted on their persons and intends using all available legal conduits to ventilate and seek redress in this matter.

Signed:

Animasaun Hassan Mayowa Esq.

Legal Representative of the families.