The Nigeria Civil Society’s Alliance for Democratic Change (NSCADC) has strongly condemned what it described as the illegal arrest and extra-judicial detention of Delta-based human rights activist, Comrade Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by its National Coordinator (North), Ambassador Abdul Baba Datti, and monitored by the Associated Press, Amnesty International, and other media platforms, the group accused the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwanda Olufemi, and the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, of using the police as a tool for intimidation, vendetta, and political persecution.
The group demanded Ojei’s immediate and unconditional release, describing him as its National Coordinator (South) and a respected advocate for workers’ welfare, peace, and conflict resolution in Delta State.
“The inalienable rights of freedom of expression, liberty, and association as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the African Union Charter, and the United Nations Charter must not be suppressed under any guise,” the statement read.
NSCADC further urged the public to disregard what it called a “malicious and libelous” video circulating on social media, allegedly released by the Delta State Police Command.
According to the group, the video was doctored as a pretext for Ojei’s arrest, coming only hours after he petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over allegations of abuse of office, corruption, and suppression of a forgery case involving his kinsmen.
The group compared the incident to the infamous Apo Six case, warning against a repeat of extrajudicial abuses by law enforcement agencies.
Calling for an independent investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Amnesty International, and the National Human Rights Commission, NSCADC alleged that the Delta State Police Command has been complicit in shielding politically sensitive cases while targeting human rights defenders.
The group issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Delta State Police Command to release Ojei and issue a public apology. Failure to comply, NSCADC warned, would lead to a nationwide protest and legal action.