Outrage As Benin Republic Police Storm Ogun, Arrest Nigerian Activist

Date of Occurrence

June 24, 2021

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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.

Abduction Of An Activist

The arrested person, Pastor Garb, is an activist, who has consistently campaigned against the incessant harassment of Nigerians by the Beninese in attempts to forcefully annex the Nigerian territory.

He was taken away in a Gestapo manner by the armed security agents from the neighbouring country.

He was allegedly charged to a court and remanded under inhuman conditions in the Benin Republic and prevented from having access to his lawyers, doctors, and members of his family.

The Ogun State government in response called on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of the Nigerian citizen.

In a press statement, Governor Dapo Abiodun called on the national boundary commission to step up action to demarcate Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin.

He also called on Nigerian security agents to promptly ensure the security of border communities from external inv

Actions Taken

The Nigerian activist, Kunle Garb, who was arrested and prosecuted by Benin Republic authorities, has been released.

Garb, in a statement he signed and sent to our correspondent in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said he was released on Tuesday night from Porto-Novo prisons.

He, however, said that he had no regrets over his unlawful arrest and detention by Benin Republic police officers.

Mode of Attacks

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Outrage As Benin Republic Police Storm Ogun, Arrest Nigerian Activist

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Actions Taken

Details

Region

Rights & Freedom Violated

Gender of Victim(s)

Mode of Attacks

Similar Incidents

Benin: 12 Months in Prison for Activist Jean Kpoton

Yoruba Activist Sunday Igboho and his Wife were Arrested in Cotonou

Security Forces Summon Journalists Over Television Broadcast

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