Elder statesman and National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has strongly criticized a military operation at his residence in the Kiagbodo Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Clark recounted receiving numerous calls informing him about the military raid on his home. The raid was reportedly conducted by armed soldiers in search of an individual named Vote, suspected to be linked to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama. Clark mentioned receiving an apology from a person identified as the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army Division in Port Harcourt on behalf of the Army for the raid.
Describing the incident, Clark stated, “Some of them went to the buildings behind the main house and broke all the doors that were locked. They matched out my staff living in those buildings, including lecturers at the university, and made them sit on bare ground.”
He further narrated, “They also broke into my late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark’s house. A man who served this country internationally in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as both of us share the same premises. They brought out his son almost naked, as the young man was taking a bath when they stormed the house.”
“All their phones were seized. The people had to identify themselves and told them whose house it was before they asked for my telephone number, which they said they would pass to their “oga” before they all departed. One would have expected that at this juncture, a call could have been put to the Governor of Delta State, to inform him of what happened”.
Expressing his concerns, Clark emphasized that the authorization of such raids was “disrespectful and unlawful,” especially considering his decades of service to the nation. He urged the authorities to respect his rights and allow him to live in peace.
Clark concluded by stating, “If I die today as a result of a natural occurrence, it will be a joyful celebration. But if my death is linked to any dubious means by some overzealous state actors, no one can tell how far the fire will rage. This is not a threat. It is an acknowledgement of God’s mercies on me.”