Raid on Clark’s residence: Police arrest four of its men

The Nigeria Police Force has vehemently denied that its top brass ordered the search conducted on the Abuja residence of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
In fact, according to Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, four policemen and an informant are in custody over the unauthorised search.
Said Moshood in his statement, “The Force wishes to categorically state that, the Inspector General of Police is not aware and did not order the raid of the residence of the Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark as claimed by the writer of the story.
“Consequently, the Inspector General of Police has directed the detention and investigation of the Four (4) Police personnel and the informant involved. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
“Notwithstanding, the facts that on daily basis the Nigeria Police Force across the country receives information from members of the public which were promptly used to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities, the Force will not condone misconduct by any of its personnel that can run contrary to the rule of law.”
Earlier Tuesday, policemen claiming to be looking for arms had raided Clark’s residence.
Hours after, an angry National Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, called on the Federal Government to explain the raid on the residence.
In a statement, he called on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate and offer explanation “within the next 48 hours this barbaric action against one of the fathers of this nation, in such a brazing manner.”
He said further: “PANDEF received with total condemnation, reports of the action of heavily armed men of the Nigerian Police Force’ unwarranted invasion and takeover of the Abuja residence of national elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark, OFR, CON, today, Tuesday, September 4, 2018, under the unfounded allegation of stockpiling of weapons from the Niger Delta.”
“We understand that the residence of this revered 91 year old former Federal Minister, a distinguished Second Republic Senator of the Federal Republic, and at present, Leader of the National coalition known as the Nigerian Elders and Leaders Forum, comprising the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South – South, Afenifere for the South West, Ohaneze Ndigbo for the South East, Middle Belt Forum for the Middle Belt Zone, and the Northern Elders Forum, was thoroughly raided and searched, room by room and item by item, for over two hours, in a manner most demeaning and embarrassing of the person of this national icon who was physically present at the time of this invasion.”
“PANDEF condemns this very barbaric act which is tantamount to state terrorism and total disregard for his fundamental human rights and complete disregard for established traditional respect for age and national service.
“We insist that Chief E. K. Clark remains a symbol of our national unity and a leading voice in our search for equity, fairness and justice. PANDEF therefore strongly condemns this unwarranted action against one of the country’s leading statesmen by the Nigerian Police.”