…calls for release of detained Niger Delta youths

By Samuel Oyadongha

YENAGOA THE Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has lauded the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for sacking the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Lawal Duara for the illegal invasion and blockade of the National Assembly.

HON BOMA VS DSS IN ABUJA A member House of Representative, Hon Boma Goodhead in face-off with the official of DSS at the entrance of National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Factional President of the IYC, Eric Omare, said in a statement that the Acting President deserved commendation for his prompt reaction, which according to him, would help restore sanity in the activities of security agencies in Nigeria.

He said: “The actions of Nigeria security agencies in recent time have attracted odium to Nigeria in the international community.

“However, the IYC further state that it is not enough for the Federal Government to sack the DSS boss, but an independent and thorough investigation should be conducted on the incident to unravel all those that were involved the action and bring them to justice.

“This is the only way the security apparatus of state can continue to command the respect of Nigerians and the international community.

“The IYC also note and commend the heroic role of Representative Boma Goodhead from Rivers State and younger sister to former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Alhaji Asari Dokubo. Hon. Goodhead and other members of the National Assembly who confronted the DSS officials who were on an illegal mission to the National Assembly demonstrated courage which is needed to check a government inclined to dictatorship.

“For those with vindictive instinct, we wish to warn them to stay clear of Hon. Goodhead Boma as the Ijaw nation is watching. It is our expectation that the sack of Mr. Daura would bring to a stop the use of security agencies as agents of terror against citizens.”

In a related development, the Ijaw Youth Council has called on the new DSS boss Mr. Matthew Seiyefa to look into the cases of illegal arrest and detention of citizens by the DSS and release Nigerians especially Niger Delta youths who have been in the detention of the DSS without trial.
The IYC noted with regret that the DSS under Mr. Daura arrested and detained several Nigerians without trial for years despite court orders demanding for the release of arrested persons.
It cited as a typical example, the recent arraignment in court of Mr. Jones Abiri, a Yenagoa based journalist after about two years of detention.
“Mr. Seiyefa must ensure as a matter of urgency that Nigerians are not held in the DSS detention facilities indefinitely without been taken to court,” the IYC said.