The Delta State Police Command has rearrested and detained a church worshipper who was previously granted bail following random arrests during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Asaba.
The incident follows the mass arrest of more than 40 people, most of them churchgoers, by police led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adejobi Olumuyiwa. The arrests occurred at multiple locations across the state capital, including Inter-Bau Roundabout and Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road. Many of those detained alleged they were extorted between ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 before being released.
According to sources, one of the released worshippers, Benjamin Eboka, a staff member of the Delta State Fire Service, was reportedly lured to the police command to reclaim his impounded vehicle. He was then rearrested on allegations that he had leaked information about the extortion to the media. Eboka was originally detained along with two friends while on their way to a church service. As of the time of reporting, he remains in custody.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, previously described those arrested on New Year’s Eve as “hoodlums” who allegedly engaged in violent behavior, attacked officers, and disturbed the public. However, eyewitness accounts and reports from SaharaReporters suggest that several detainees were en route to or returning from church services when they were picked up.
A source close to the matter urged the new Commissioner of Police to intervene, calling for Eboka’s unconditional release and criticizing what they described as “intimidation, framing, and extortion of innocent citizens by police officers.”
