Newspaper distributors in Awka, the Anambra State capital commenced an
indefinite strike over alleged harassment and extortion by the Operation
Clean and Healthy Anambra State Brigade, otherwise known as Obiano
police.
Speaking with our correspondent, the chairman of the distributors in
Awka, Emeka Nweze said his members would discontinue distribution of
newspapers and magazines in the area until the state government assured
them of their safety in the state.
He said their tables and umbrellas had been confiscated by the OCHA
Brigade while their members were being molested and beaten up by the
agency’s officials.
Stating that they rendered essential services to the people the state,
the group wondered why the incessant harassment by the government
agency.
They said they had written and complained to various government offices
in the state, including the office of the Secretary to the State
Government, to no avail.
Their petition to SSG sighted by our correspondent read in part,
“We are constrained to write this petition to solicit your intervention
in the nightmare; we have been passing through in the hands of the
officials of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra State (OCHA),
Brigade for a long time.
” The officials of the agency have been clamping down on our members,
intimidating and harassing us at our various Newspapers’ sales
spots/stands, and, even seizing the items we use in displaying our
newspapers, and, a times trying to extort money from us.
“Our various Newspapers’ Sales spots/stands were designated and approved
by an agency of the state government, Anambra State Environmental
Sanitation Agency.
” Following the incessant clamp-down on our members, and, seizure of our
sales items, especially tables and umbrellas, by the OCHA Brigade
officials, we decided to visit the management of the agency at their
office where we met the Director, Mr. Douglas Okafor.
“After listening to our complaints, the Director told us that it was
wrong for the taskforce officials to seize our materials, saying that
the agency does not normally disturb newspaper vendors.”
The group expressed surprise that the same OCHA Brigade boss turned
round to become their major antagonist.
Efforts to reach the OCHA Brigade boss did not yield any result as his
telephone indicated ” switched off”.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don
Adinuba, said he would take up the matter with OCHA Brigade boss with a
view to resolving it immediately.