Our time is often characterize as the Social Media Age and one of the beauties of this age is that it makes information go round in matter of seconds. For instance, today alone, most of us in Africa are already abreast with events around the world. For instance, we are aware that the British Premier, Boris Johnson resigned as the leader of his Labour Party but would remain prime minister until a new prime minister emerges. We are also well informed about the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. What about events here in Nigeria? We get everything occurrence in Nigeria, no matter how remote the location with just a flip of the finger. We already know that Okupe has withdrawn as the VP to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party and that Obi now has Dr. Yusuf Ahmad Dantti as his new running mate. Almost every one of these events happened today and almost all of us got them as developing news. However, the event that has taken the Social Media here in Nigeria by storm this evening is the physical assault on a popular Onitsha basedpastor, popularly known as Odumeje, by Anambra State security agent. This article is responding to that assault.
What Happened?
According to a video clip circulating online, there was demolition of some structures belonging to the “Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry”, Onitsha, Anambra State. In the clip, Odumeje, the owner of the ministry was shown trying to prevent the men in uniform from demolishing the structures. He was subsequently slapped and dragged around by one of the security agents. While I have little or nothing to say on why the structures in the Church premises were demolished – the Church and Anambra State Government should know better, I react to the mal-handling of “Prophet Udumeje” (aka Indaboski) by the security men attached to the demolition team.
Some Questions
I don’t know Odumeje in person, but by his action at the scene of the demolition, it can be deduced that he was not at home with the occurrence. Was there no notification that the demolition would take place on a particular day? Did Anambra State Government make alternative provisions for the individuals affected or give any form of compensation before the demolition exercise? These are important questions might be considered.
Why Soludo Needs to Apologize
As stated above, I would not know what had transpired between the Pastor of the Church and the State Security agents at the demolition site. However, it was disgusting to see one of these agents acting as a brute –a common criminal! Why must a security man be so unprofessional in his actions. Why apply force in a situation where you could be civil and mature? Before civilians you become powerful, but become imbeciles before terrorists. Was this particular security agent acting a script or carrying out instruction given by the Governor of Anambra State or was he simply an overzealous security agent? Whatever happens, the way Odumeje was mal-handled at the the demolition is totally disrespectful and unacceptable! Soludo is a Catholic and it is obvious he wouldn’t want a Catholic priest, his parish priest treated that way. Odumeje is someone’s parish priest! Why hit him and drag him like a piece of wood for God sake?
In the final analysis, the international practice is that when agents go to the field and misbehave, their bosses are held accountable. Most of the individuals rutting in prisons in the Hague, including the former Liberian President, Charles Taylor are there not for the crime they committed in persons but for crimes committed by their aids or those who acted under their commands. The security man who slapped Udemeje today was acting under Soludo’s briefs. It is therefore reasonable to recommend that an apology be rendered to the assaulted man. Above all, men in uniform should not be illiterates! They should be psychologically sound to know when to be forceful and when to be diplomatic. I will not recommend the outright dismissal of hooligan, who knows he maybe his families only breadwinner but it would be a bad idea to have his head examined. He can be redeployed to some other sectors. Let him join those in the waste disposal system. That is where brute power is required.
