APC Lawmaker Arrested In Bayelsa Regains Freedom

Edward Irigha-Brigidi

The Minority Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Edward Irigha-Brigidi, who was arrested by the police has been released.

The member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was arrested over the weekend by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics team of the Nigeria Police Force in Yenagoa.

Irigigha was picked by the SWAT operatives in the Azikoro area of the state capital.

Reports had it that the SWAT detectives had earlier stormed the state from Abuja, acting on a petition against the lawmaker.

Reports emerging on Monday afternoon, however, confirmed that the lawmaker representing Nembe Constituency II on the APC platform was freed while he was being whisked away to Abuja following the intervention of the Bayelsa State Government, some of his political associates and the traditional rulers.

Speaking shortly after his freedom, Irigha-Brigidi explained that he was arrested based on allegations levelled against him “by those who are not happy that I am standing shoulder to shoulder with my beloved constituents that gave me their mandate.”

“The police who requested to search my residences at Opu-Nembe and Yenagoa later released me immediately when they did not find any incriminating evidence, contrary to the petition that promoted the arrest.

“I am aware that the Gestapo-like arrest was politically motivated by desperate politicians who seek to silence me. What they fail to realise is that God and my people are with me.

“Let me admit that members of the Bayelsa State Police Command demonstrated utter professionalism in handling the precarious situation, and I am indebted to them.

“To the glory of God, I have since been released and reunited with my family, and I urge my constituents and the people of Opu-Nembe to remain calm, peaceful, and go about with their normal businesses,” The PUNCH quoted the Bayelsa APC lawmaker saying.