Five persons have been detained for “unauthorised” search conducted at the home of Edwin Clark, a prominent Niger-Delta leader.
Police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood said in a statement Tuesday night that the raid was illegal, and the Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris has ordered immediate apprehension of four officers and an informant who were identified as having participated in it.
“The Inspector-General of Police is not aware and did not order the raid of the residence of the Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark,” Mr Moshood said while reacting to the Vanguard’s version of the story.
“Consequently,” Mr Moshood said, Mr Idris directed the detention and investigation of those involved.
“The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public,” he said.
Mr Clark, considered one of the most influential leaders of the Niger Delta was a major backer of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who lost the 2015 election to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Clark and other Niger Delta leaders, as well as some other Southern leaders, have since then been clamouring for a restructuring of the Nigerian federation.
The Police had on Tuesday raided the Abuja residence of Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader.
The Policemen who arrived the Asokoro residence of Chief Clark at 1.30pm, left the premises 2.30pm.
The Police men who searched all the rooms of the Elder Statesman, alleged that they were in the house to search for arms.
It was gathered, however, that Policemen who allegedly stormed the house on the orders of the Inspector- General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, did not find any incriminating evidence or ammunition in the house.