Hundreds of women have taken to the streets of Ogoja in Cross River to protest against “political arrest” of their children by the Governor Ben Ayade-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

The women who were carrying placards of various inscriptions, alleged that the APC government was witch-hunting its perceived political enemies.

Some of the placards read: “Ayade bring back our children,” “Billboards do not win elections,” “Ayade respect our human rights,” “Election is no war,” “We say no to police brutality.”

The spokesperson for the protesting women, Grace Abang, called on the state government to immediately release those arrested unconditionally.

“We are not out for any political party but to request for the release of our children.

“We are asking Ayade to release our children or arrest us in their place,” she said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Tuesday alleged harassment and indiscriminate arrest of its members and supporters in Cross River, particularly in the northern senatorial district of the state.

The state chapter Chairman of the party, Venatius Ikem who made the allegation, had fingered the state government and the APC for being responsible.

He alleged that the ruling party was intimidating PDP supporters, especially those in the northern senatorial district where the governor would contest for the senatorial seat.

According to him, the police arrested their children on a “trumped up charges” of destruction of billboards and obstruction of public peace.

Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Erasmus Ekpang, said the arrests were based on a complaint lodged by the ruling party.

He said that the arrests were not directed at the PDP members as some children of APC members were also among those arrested by the police.

“The Police made random arrests and I can tell you that some children of our members were among those arrested,” he said.

Mr Ayade’s Special Adviser on Media, Christian Ita, neither picked his call nor responded to an SMS when the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) sought his reaction.

The police command in the state confirmed the arrest but noted that it was in connection with the destruction of campaign billboards of the APC.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo said, “when they bring the suspects, we will screen them and fish out the culprits and the innocent ones will be freed.”

Ms Ugbo said that those found culpable would be charged to court.

“The police frown at destruction of billboards and we had earlier issued a statement to that effect,” she added. 

(NAN)