Abaribe’s kinsmen raises concern over his safety, calls for his unconditional release

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) extraction under the aegis of Abia South Peoples Assembly (ASPA) have raised concern over the safety of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in the facility of the Department of State Security, DSS. This is even as his kinsmen have called his immediate and unconditional release.

Recall that Abaribe was last week Friday arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Security in Abuja and has since being denied access to his lawyer and relatives.

Addressing journalists through its Secretary General and Commissioner for Petroleum, Barr. Chizuru Kanu on Monday at the Women Development Center, Aba South Town Hall, the commercial hub of the state, te group described the continuous detention of Abaribe by DSS as unlawful, unfortunate and unacceptable to them especially as there was no incriminating item found on the lawmaker after a search was conducted in his house.

According to the group, the continued detention of Abaribe was part of federal government’s plans to stifle opposition and marginalization of the southeast and to also clampdown on members of the senate who they (federal government) perceived to be speaking against the ‘unpopular’ actions(s) or policies of the Executive arm of government. This is even as they stated that the actions of the federal government would in no way stop Abaribe from performing his legislative functions.

The group while demanding for unreserved apology by the federal government, DSS for unlawful and unwarranted detention and embarrassment of Abaribe, urged the federal government to desist from any further interference or infractions with the duties, rights and privileges of Abaribe.

The group which said that they would use every legal means to ensure the release of Abaribe said “We are in no doubt that the Firebrand Distinguished Senator Enyi Abaribe (Voice of the Southeast) would not be deterred in his avowed commitment, resilience, doggedness, steadfastness and forthrightness in the representation of his people. Hence, no amount of intimidation, harassment, hoodwinking, setup and brigandage would deter him from his focus,” Kanu Stated

In a related development, Ngwa indigenes under the auspices of Obioma Ngwa Welfare Association, Abuja has called for his immediate release from detention by the Department of State Security.

Senator Abaribe representing Abia South Senatorial District was recently arrested by security operatives in what his lawyer said was gun running relative, but the DSS are yet to officially say why the lawmaker was arrested.

In a statement entitled “Appeal to the Department of State Service (DSS) for the Release of Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Representing Abia South District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, they also appeal to the Director of the Service, Lawal Daura to intervene in the matter and ensure that he was released from detention.

The statement signed by the chairman of the group, Chief Achi Eric Egwuibe expressed shock that days after Abaribe’s arrest, there have been no concrete charges against him that could warrant his continued detention, adding that Abaribe deserved his freedom as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The statement read in full: “We, the members of Obioma Ngwa Welfare Association, Abuja, a sociocultural body made up of the constituency of the detained Distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe received with dismay the shocking news of his arrest and detention by the operatives of the Department of the State Service, DSS, a few days ago.

“We are further shocked that three days after his arrest and detention, there are no concrete charges under the law against him.

“We hereby appeal to the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura to use his good office to ensure Senator Abaribe’s immediate.

“Indeed, he deserves his freedom being his fundamental human right as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”