WARRI- An Ijaw socio-cultural organization has thrown its weight behind the recent claim of Amnesty International, alleging that the nation security operatives have secret detention facilities in the country and that many detainees have been suffering and dying secretly without trial which family members had no knowledge about their where-about for years.
Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) in a press release endorsed by its national President, Comrade Austin Ojobo described the denial by the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Muhammed Lai as false and misleading the international community.
He said, ‘‘Our attention has been drawn to an inglorious denial by Nigerian government over the claim of Amnesty international of secret detention facilities in the country.
‘‘We wish to reaffirm amnesty international position that hundreds of persons are being held in secret facilities in the country. The minister of information and culture, Muhammed Lai denial should not be taken serious; he is exhibiting his fern ignorance about human rights.
‘‘It is a fact that a lot of persons who disappeared from their homes are lying waste in secret cells in the country. Nigeria does not have respect for international convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance which the country is a signatory.
‘‘It is our resolve that Nigeria government should be sanctioned in violating the international convention, and its constitution where rights to life, right to false imprisonment, right to presumption of innocent and right to be heard are enshrined is flagrantly violated.
‘‘It is a fact that all security operatives in Nigeria are operating secret cell in the country, ranging from the Police force, Army, Navy, Customs, immigration and DSS. Niger Delta is the major causality of these secret facilities operated by security operatives in the country.’’ It exposed.
According to the group, ‘‘It is unfortunate that some of our brothers from Niger Delta such as Daniel Ezekiel , Edmond Ebiware, Bony Gawei, and others are lying waste in these secret facilities without being arraigned. The current government of the country is repressive and callous. Daniel Ezekiel was arrested in a manner that sparks abduction on 2nd August, 2016 from Warri, Delta State , and since his where about is unknown. He is being kept in secret cells. He was framed up and was arrested on mere facebook post.In case Lai Muhammed is unaware, he should contact us’’
‘‘How can a government that is always attempting to gag press freedom is tolerant of all views as claimed by Lai?’’ the group queried. ‘‘Amnesty international does not cook up any story, it is a reality. Lai is clueless, and it is unfortunate to say he is not aware of secret facilities in the country. Lai should contact us, we will lead him to such secret facilities, in case he is clueless about it’’ the group said.
Meanwhile, IPDI Nationa President Amnesty international for their doggedness and commitment. towards protecting human right in Nigeria. ”Nigeria government hates Amnesty international for the fact that it exposes the country’s indulgence in flagrant abuse of human rights”
