There was outrage in Igbokofi, Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun State as police officers from Benin Republic reportedly stormed the border community and arrested a Nigerian activist, Kunle Garb.
Our correspondent in Abeokuta reports that Nigeria and Benin Republic share boundary in the western senatorial district of Ogun State.
Daily Trust gathered the police from the neighboring country whisked away Garb last week Thursday, following his resistance against the alleged encroachment on some portion of land in Nigeria through Ogun State by authorities of Benin Republic.
Locals told our correspondent that the activist was taken to Benin Republic, detained and currently being prosecuted.
Sources also said Garb who had been arraigned in the foreign country was denied legal representation.
A local, Afolabi Amosu, who was in Benin Republic during the arraignment said they were denied access into the courtroom.
A lawmaker representing Yewa-North constituency II at the State House of Assembly, Wahab Haruna, confirmed Garb’s arrest.
Daily Trust reports that the lawmaker raised the matter during the state assembly plenary on Wednesday, seeking immediate intervention to secure his release.
Responding, the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, directed the office of the State Attorney General “To explore all necessary legal mechanisms including international treaties and protocol of the ECOWAS Court to secure Garb’s release.”
The Public Relations Officer of Ogun Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the command was not aware of the incident.
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