A journalist in Edo State, Hassan Olasunkanmi Quadri, also known as Otunba Ororo, has raised the alarm after he was allegedly assaulted by members of a newly launched special security outfit, Operation Flush.

The journalist, who works with a private radio station in the state, claimed he was beaten, teargassed, and robbed by operatives of the squad during a raid on a hotel in Benin City.

Governor Monday Okpebholo had just launched Operation Flush days earlier, with the mission to fight cultism and kidnapping across Edo State. However, the initiative has now come under scrutiny following this disturbing incident.

In a video posted on his Facebook page, Quadri narrated his ordeal in pain and frustration. According to him, the operatives barged into his hotel room without identification or explanation, and when he questioned their presence, he was slapped, teargassed, and dragged out violently.

“You came into my room. I simply asked who you are and who you’re looking for. Next thing, you slapped me and teargassed me. Then they dragged me on the floor like a thief,” he said emotionally.

He alleged that some of the officers even attempted to steal his gold necklace, adding that his clothes were torn, and his forehead was injured in the chaos.

He expressed concern that, without timely intervention from Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, he could have ended up in prison on false charges.

“If not for the CPS, I would be behind bars right now for something I know nothing about. They would have tagged it ‘Cultism raid in Edo State’,” he added.

Quadri condemned the heavy-handed approach of the squad, saying their actions are instilling fear in innocent youths, rather than targeting real criminals.

“This is not the way to fight cultism. Not every young person is a criminal. You can’t just arrest and brutalize people going about their daily business,” he said.

As outrage grows online, many are now calling on the Edo State government to review the operations of Operation Flush and ensure that human rights are respected, even in the fight against crime.

The incident has sparked questions about how security efforts can be effective without turning into a source of fear and abuse for innocent citizens.