Some corps members serving in Ekiti State who are to complete their national service today, have threatened to protest at the passing out ceremony over the brutalization of one of them, Mr. Anthony Chukwuebuka Onuagbara, by policemen attached to the Special Anti-robbery Squad in Ado-Ekiti.
It will be recalled that Onuagbara, a 21-year old graduate of Anambra State University, was beaten by some policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, on August 12 last year at his residence in the Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti and, in the process, lost his right eye.
While speaking to newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the corps members expressed shock that NYSC had not shown any concern about the plight of the corps member since he was brutalized by the police which led to the loss of one of his eyes last year.
The corps members, who craved anonymity, disclosed that they were mobilizing their colleagues to stage a protest today at the Passing out Parade (POP).
They stressed that the move became necessary because it was obvious that the police and the NYSC are covering up the case.
One of the NYSC members said “we are mobilizing our colleagues to stage a protest today (Thursday) at the passing out parade since we observed that the police and the NYSC are covering up this case. How can a corps member who came to serve his fatherland with every part of his body complete will go back as a disable and they expect us not to say anything?”
The corps members expressed fear that nothing would be done about the case again since Onuagbara would pass out today, adding that their reason for mobilizing for the protest was to draw the attention of the public to the inhuman treatment against the corps member.
Spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi Olu, said the matter was being investigated and the culprits will soon be brought to book.