"Clark's Cry for Justice: Nigerian Elder Statesman Condemns Military Raid on His Home, Demands Respect for Decades of Service"

 

Chief Edwin Clark

Chief Edwin Clark Condemns Military Raid on His Home: Demands Respect for Decades of Service to Nigeria

In a resounding expression of indignation, Chief Edwin Clark, the esteemed National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum and former Minister of Information and Communication, has vehemently denounced the recent military raid conducted on his country residence situated in the Kiagbodo Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Clark, a venerable elder statesman renowned for his unwavering dedication to public service, has raised his voice in protest against what he perceives as a flagrant violation of his rights and an affront to his dignity. At the age of 97, with nearly seven decades of service to his country, Clark finds himself compelled to speak out against the egregious actions of the military.

The raid, reportedly conducted by armed military personnel, was purportedly in pursuit of an individual known as Vote, a suspected militant allegedly linked to the tragic killing of 17 military personnel in the Okuama region. However, Clark asserts that such a raid on his premises, without proper authorization or prior notification to the state governor, constitutes a gross infringement of his civil liberties.

Narrating the ordeal, Clark revealed that the military operation involved a sizable deployment of troops, with over 30 soldiers arriving at his residence in a convoy of five trucks. Drones were also reportedly employed in the reconnaissance of the area, further intensifying the intrusive nature of the incursion.

The gravity of the situation became palpable as the soldiers proceeded to forcefully enter various buildings on the premises, including that of Clark's late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark, a distinguished diplomat who served Nigeria in various high-ranking international capacities. Clark lamented that the soldiers, in their zeal, subjected his staff, including university lecturers residing on the property, to indignities by compelling them to sit on the bare ground.

The indignation of the veteran statesman was compounded by the brazenness of the military personnel, who allegedly seized the phones of those present and only relented after being apprised of the identity of the property owner. Despite subsequent apologies tendered by the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army Division in Port Harcourt, Clark remains steadfast in his condemnation of the unauthorized intrusion.

This is not the first instance of such a violation of Clark's privacy and sanctity of his home. He recollects a similar incident occurring in his Abuja residence on September 4, 2018, during the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari. With a sense of incredulity and dismay, Clark decries the lack of respect accorded to him, citing his decades-long dedication to serving his country in various capacities.

In his impassioned plea for justice and respect, Clark implores the relevant authorities to acknowledge his contributions and afford him the dignity befitting his stature as a statesman. He emphasizes that, even at his advanced age, he continues to serve Nigeria faithfully and expects to be treated with the reverence and deference owed to one of his standing.

However, beneath the surface of his demand for respect lies a somber warning. Clark cautions that any attempt to silence him through nefarious means or to implicate him in dubious circumstances will not go unanswered. With a firm resolve, he avows that if his demise were to be orchestrated by overzealous state actors, the repercussions would be far-reaching and beyond prediction.

In concluding his statement, Clark invokes the benevolence of the Almighty, expressing gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon him throughout his life. Nevertheless, he underscores that his resolve to seek justice and demand respect remains unwavering, regardless of the challenges he may face.

As Chief Edwin Clark stands firm in his defense of his rights and dignity, his stance serves as a potent reminder of the enduring struggle for justice and accountability in Nigeria's complex socio-political landscape.

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