Pascal Oparada
Mixed reactions have trailed the allegation by the Nigeria Police that Gloria Okolie, is a spy girl for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN)
She was arrested on June 17, by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Owerri, Imo State for being a friend of a fleeing suspected member of IPOB and detained for over 70 days and held incommunicado until it was discovered that she had been in the custody of the IRT, allegedly washing and cooking for the operatives.
She was subsequently moved to Abuja after a public outcry.
On Sunday, the police charged Okolie for being a spy girl of the proscribed group.
According to a police statement, Okolie acted as a drug courier and arms bearer for IPOB and used her gender and ‘innocuous looks’ to aid and abet IPOB into attacking police and military formations in Imo State.
The police statement posted on Facebook has garnered over 3,000 comments with many lashing out at the police for hurriedly charging Okolie after it was discovered that she was exploited and used for chores by their operatives.
“We’ve an utterly irresponsible police force and they’re not the worst police formation in the world for nothing.
You arrested a young teen lady since 17 June 2021 for being a girlfriend to an alleged ESN member.
During this time, you illegally dumped her in detention in Imo State, turned her to a ‘domestic servant’ under your custody and exploited N280,000 from her poor parent under the pretext of granting her bail.
When the story of her unjust incarceration went public, you quickly issued a tepid press release to save face.
How could you incarcerate a citizens for more than 70 days without trial?
How come you’re now planing to charge her to court after abusing her fundamental rights?
The IGP should immediately release Gloria and pay her adequate compensation for this abuse,” Obioma Ezenwodo said under the police release on Facebook.
“Police arrested 21 y/o Gloria Okolie June 17th. Turned her into a maid. Parents didn’t know where daughter was until an ex-detainee tipped them 63 days later. A human rights activist alerted the nation. Outcry. Police respond with A BIG LIE 70 days after her arrest and detention,” @AbdulMahmud01 said on Twitter.
@Gloria Okolie was kidnapped by the police just like other hundreds of Igbos in SE. She was turned into a chef & a sex slave while in police custody for over 65 days.
When their crime was discovered, they turned around to call her IPOB member.
Under Buhari, being Igbo is a crime,” @ HakaRedline said.
“Nigeria police is shameless. Why coming up with press release after 70 days of her being in detention. Why shamelessly wrote as if you just arrested her yesterday. Lol. Because the world has risen to ask questions about abuses she is going through.? You guys can’t stop disappointing yourselves and the world. Bunch of unprofessional incompetent personels,’ Anyaele Chijioke Christopher said on Facebook.
