By George OPARA
Rivers community vigilante operatives have arrested Mr. Daso Ogan, the state football coach over alleged removal of male genital at Igwuruta town of Ikwerre council area of the state.
Spear News Nigeria gathered that Ogan has even been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in PortHarcourt, capital of the state.
However, an eyewitness account told Spear News Nigeria that Ogan escaped death by whiskers in the hands of the vigilante operatives through the intervention of the police.
But Prince Wiro, a rights advocate and National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign confirmed the development on Wednesday
Also, Wiro had called for the release of Ogan and condemned the arrest, prosecution of all vigilante members in Igwuruta who are allegedly involved in the assault and torture of the suspect.
In his words, “I condemn the alleged physical assault, torture, and public parade of Mr. Daso Ogan by members of OSPAC in Igwuruta over allegations that he caused another man’s genital to disappear through magical means on June 22.
“The torture, as seen in a viral video circulating on social media, constitutes a violation of the victim’s fundamental right to the dignity of the human person.
“I have spoken with Mr. Golden Ogan, Chairman of Kirike Central CDC in Okrika, where the victim hails from, as well as another family member, Mr. Timothy Ogan. They confirmed that members of OSPAC allegedly inflicted severe injuries on Daso, including breaking his head.
“The suspect could have suffered even more serious harm if not for the timely intervention of officers from the Igwuruta Police Division.”
Further, Wiro said the claim that individuals can magically steal or cause the disappearance of another person’s genital through touch, a handshake, or supernatural means are not supported by any medical or scientific evidence.
“I call for the immediate release of Daso Ogan from the Igwuruta Police Division, as he has not committed any known crime. I also demand the arrest and prosecution of all members of Igwuruta OSPAC involved in this injustice and extrajudicial action,” he added.
Meanwhile, Isaac Ogan, a brother of the suspect who visited him at the police station, narrated the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“My brother was accused of taking someone’s genital in Igwuruta.
“When we received the information, we immediately rushed to the police station. It was there we discovered that the vigilante members had apprehended him, severely beaten him, and inflicted injuries on his head before the police intervened and brought the situation under control”.
“We are currently at the Igwuruta Police Station, where he is being held. What OSPAC did is unfair because you cannot accuse someone of such an offence without evidence. In the eyes of the law, allegations of mystical disappearance of human organs have no legal basis.
“There is no justification for accusing someone of stealing another person’s manhood and then subjecting him to mob assault.”
He further alleged that if the police had not intervened, the vigilante members might have killed his brother.
“As I speak, I demand the prosecution of the vigilante commander and all members involved in this incident. They should be arrested and made to face the law”.
When contacted, the State Police Command, spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing Karbolo, confirmed the incident.
Agabe said the Police rescued Mr Daso and took him to protective custody as investigation is ongoing.
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