A COALITION of Ethnic Nationalities yesterday protested the alleged persecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s family members by the Department of State Services (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “under the guise of war against corruption”.
The groups claimed that operatives of DSS, EFCC and National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) invaded the Abuja residence of Mrs. Patience Jonathan in her absence.
The protesters, who were heading for the National Assembly, were stopped at the Federal Secretariat, by a group of policemen.
Some of the protesters, however, assembled at the first gate to the National Assembly, where they addressed reporters on their mission to Abuja.
The protesting groups included Ijaw Youths, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum and Yoruba Youth Council.
The protesters, who displayed various inscriptions lampooning the EFCC and the DSS, urged the National Assembly and other concerned Nigerians to intervene.
In a letter, the groups appealed to the National Assembly leadership to call “DSS, EFCC and NDLEA to order over alleged witch-hunting against the former President’s family members”.
They asked the National Assembly to ensure that the agencies adhered strictly to the principle of rule of law in their operations.
They said: “An agency set up by an Act of Parliament can definitely not be allowed to be turned into a tool for witch-hunting of perceived enemies by any government in power.”
Leaders of the groups included Bristol Alagbariya Emmanuel (Secretary-General, Ijaw Youth Council), Eric Oluwole (National President, Yoruba Youths Council) and Mazi Okechukwu (National Youth leader, Ohanaeze).
