The parents and guardians of the 16 students from Oharisi Basic Secondary School in Ughelli have expressed their strong disapproval regarding what they perceive as extortion by both the officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the Ughelli Vigilante Group.
The students were taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the destruction of show glass stands and causing injury to an individual. The aforementioned individuals are deeply concerned about the alleged extortion, and their disapproval is based on the belief that the authorities failed to act in accordance with proper legal procedures.
They claim that authorities demanded a sum of N50,000 from each parent to secure the release of their children.
One parent, speaking anonymously, expressed dismay at the treatment of the students, whom they referred to as juveniles, emphasizing that they were unfairly targeted and innocent of the alleged offense.
Recalling the events, another parent asserted that the students were hastily handed over to the police and subjected to unjust treatment, despite the presence of the school principal during the incident. The parents allege that the authorities’ primary objective appeared to be extracting money from them, rather than addressing the situation fairly.
At the Ughelli ‘A’ Division police station, parents were informed that their children would remain in custody overnight to assess the damages caused and calculate the associated costs. However, upon returning the next day, they were shocked to learn that the authorities demanded an additional N50,000 per student for bail.
Parents expressed frustration, highlighting the financial strain imposed on families, particularly those with limited means. They criticized the lack of due process and fairness in handling the situation, emphasizing that many of the arrested students were innocent bystanders.
Furthermore, parents criticized the actions of the vigilantes, alleging that the arrested students were not directly involved in the incident and were unjustly targeted based solely on their school uniforms.
Amidst the ordeal, some parents resorted to individually securing bail for their children, while others faced challenges raising the required amount. Concerns were raised about the impact on the students’ education, with some parents considering withdrawing their children from the school due to the perceived injustice.
As of now, it remains unclear whether all students have been granted bail, and questions linger regarding the lack of evidence provided by claimants for damages allegedly inflicted by the students.
