Apparently disturbed by the unfriendly attitude and brutality of Police officers in Okene, the artisans have protested against the unwholesome activities of officers of the Nigerian Police force.
The artisans in their hundreds in Okene closed their shops and suspended business activities over the weekend to embarked on a peaceful demonstration round the town.
The artisans which comprised of motor mechanics, panel-beaters, auto mobile electricians, vulganizers, painters, motorcycle mechanics and car wash workers had earlier visited the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebira to register their displeasure over the police arbitrary arrest, intimidation, detention, seizure of their tools and extortion of their members without any justifiable reason.
They lamented that the unfriendly activities of the police have been heightened since the killing of two policemen in Okene some weeks ago by unknown assailants, noting that the situation has become unbearable for them since they can no longer go to their various workshop to carry out their legitimate businesses.
In a petition signed General Chairman of Association of Artisan in Kogi Central, Chief Monday Bansoh, the Association specifically mentioned the case of a member, Samuel Jimoh who was invited to Okene police for a job only to be arrested along with his son and has since been detained for over one week now.
The artisan also alleged policemen posted to the field often now use their workshop/shed for shelter and relaxation, regretting that rather than the police showing element of civility, the police have turned out to witch-hunt and harass their members.
Meanwhile they appealed to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland to intervene by prevailing on the police to stop the negative activities against artisans, released their seized tools and those in detention.
The Ohinoyi, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Ibrahim commended the artisans for the peaceful protest, stating that the police authority should caution their officers against the backdrop of indiscriminate arrest, extortion, shooting of gun.
The royal father added that these could worsen cases of people with high blood pressure.
