…Onofiok Luke sues for peace, orderliness
As Akwa Ibom youths trooped out to the streets in support of the nationwide end-police-brutality protest, the Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency, Barr Onofiok Luke has identified with the youths as he sued for a peaceful protest in the state.
The former speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly who made this known on his Facebook Timeline charged the protesters to conduct themselves orderly in a peaceful manner while pressing for their rights.
According to him, “As Akwa Ibom youths join in the current national agitation for an end to police brutality, I want to identify fully with this timely peaceful advocacy.
“As a society renowned for our culture of peace, it is natural that we lend our voice to the call for an end to all forms of institutional oppression. This is just as important as we should maintain the peace while advocating a change.
“I am therefore asking that as we hit the streets today to intensify the national campaign, we must do so within the ambits of the law. This protest will hopefully deepen existing discourse on police reforms.
“I have been asking for this and will continue to do so as the problem of civil rights abuse by our policing institution has to be addressed from the very roots of it.
“We must address the problem of poor pay for our officers, better working and living conditions for hard working men and women of the force.
“The end of all forms of police brutality protest must lead to the addressing of the issues of welfare and other challenges confronting the police.
“Addressing these needs will boost our officers’ morale, give them a sense of pride in their job and positively reposition the psyche of those among them who are understandably frustrated by their work condition.
“The ultimate beneficiaries of this reform will be the citizens who will enjoy for better policing than we have today.”
