By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has denied allegations of political intimidation following the disruption of a scheduled rally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogoja, northern Cross River State.
The denial followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by the ADC Bekwara chapter accusing the Area Commander in Ogoja of harassment and intimidation of party members.
In the petition dated February 27, 2026, and signed by Mc Johnson of the MacJohnson Odey Political Defence Volunteer Front, the party alleged that armed police officers invaded his residence in Bekwara on February 21 at about 8:00 a.m. while members were preparing for the rally.
Johnson claimed that the officers threatened to shoot him and his supporters if they failed to disperse, allegedly stating they were acting on superior orders to stop the rally.
The ADC described the incident as part of what it termed a growing pattern of intimidation against opposition political actors in the state, maintaining that the police had been duly notified of the planned rally but received no response before officers were allegedly deployed to the venue.
According to the petition, heavily armed personnel occupied streets leading to the rally ground, an action the party said undermined constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and political participation.
The petition, copied to the Police Service Commission, Public Complaints Commission, ADC State Chairman and several human rights organisations, called for an independent investigation into the incident.
However, in a statement issued on February 27 and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, the Command dismissed the allegations as unfounded and inconsistent with actual events.
Police explained that the gathering was a defection rally organised by a former Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, which coincided with the APC Local Government Congress held at the same location.
According to the Command, organisers were earlier advised to reschedule the rally to avoid possible clashes, but allegedly proceeded with the event, during which participants reportedly blocked a major highway.
The police said security personnel deployed smoke canisters to restore order, adding that 11 persons were arrested and later released on bail the same day.
The Command maintained that the Area Commander acted on the directive of the Commissioner of Police and within the law to prevent a breakdown of public order, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remains neutral and committed to lawful and unbiased policing.
The petition was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, and the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State.
