By Jones FCC
The reported arrest of some newspaper vendors allegedly, by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT)is condemnable, if it is true that those arrested were merely arrested for purportedly distributing newspapers promoting Biafran and IPOB reports. Vendors cannot be held responsible for the editorial choices of newspaper houses. I am wondering what could be the rationale behind arresting vendors, when the operatives could have invited the editors or publishers of such newspapers, instead of harassing innocent vendors who apparently do not have the slightest editorial contribution to the newspapers.
This time is very volatile and our security agents must be careful not to aggravate the situation. A key way of winning this war against insurrectionists is by befriending the people. Ordinary masses must be convinced that security agents are here to protect them and not to harass them. Harassing innocent citizens would leave the people with no option but to identify with the terrorists and criminals, and this won’t be helpful for the efforts of the authorities to arrest the already bad situation.
While I acknowledge the desperateness of the situation, this is the time for the State and its operatives to show more restraint, intelligence and the highest level of professionalism in order to show a clear difference between them and those they are trying to stop.
May Nigeria Prevail!
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