{"id":120038,"date":"2025-06-24T17:42:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=120038"},"modified":"2025-06-24T17:42:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:42:28","slug":"ndokwa-blackout-protest-police-accused-of-extortion-as-families-pay-%e2%82%a6400000-for-bail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/ndokwa-blackout-protest-police-accused-of-extortion-as-families-pay-%e2%82%a6400000-for-bail\/","title":{"rendered":"Ndokwa Blackout Protest: Police Accused of Extortion as Families Pay \u20a6400,000 for Bail"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Oscar Okhifo<\/div>\n
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A peaceful protest by residents of Ndokwa Nation in Delta State has escalated into controversy, following allegations that police officers arrested several demonstrators and extorted substantial amounts from their families to secure bail.<\/div>\n
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The protest was organized to draw attention to the persistent power outage that has crippled the community for nearly two decades, despite its proximity to one of Nigeria\u2019s major power plants.<\/div>\n
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The protest, which took place in Kwale, saw angry residents block major roads while demanding an end to the prolonged power blackout that has plagued their communities for nearly two decades. Despite being home to the Okpai Independent Power Plant, which is one of the nation\u2019s major electricity producers, Ndokwa communities have remained largely without power supply. This ugly reality has sparked repeated public outcry.<\/div>\n
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Eyewitnesses reported that police operatives moved in to disperse the protesters using tear gas, leading to injuries and the destruction of property. Motorcycles belonging to some of the protesters were reportedly set ablaze during the crackdown.<\/div>\n
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Following the arrests, community leaders and youth representatives accused the police of demanding exorbitant bail fees for the release of the detained protesters. \u201cSome families were forced to pay between \u20a6300,000 and \u20a6400,000 before their loved ones were released,\u201d a youth leader stated. \u201cOne of the arrested persons, Stanley Adoh, is still in detention because his family could not meet the \u20a6300,000 bail demand.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the protesters would be charged to court and that no bail fees were collected by the police.<\/div>\n
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In response to the incident, the Anioma Youths Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) condemned the actions of the police, describing the protest as a legitimate and peaceful exercise of the community\u2019s constitutional rights. The group called on the government and relevant authorities to address the longstanding power issues affecting Ndokwa communities rather than suppressing citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.<\/div>\n
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As tensions continue to mount, civil society groups are demanding an independent investigation into the alleged police extortion and are calling for the swift release of all remaining detainees. The residents, undeterred by the recent crackdown, remain resolute in their fight for justice under the banner of the \u201cLight Up Ndokwa Nation\u201d movement, pressing authorities to finally address the chronic power supply crisis affecting their communities.<\/div>\n
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