By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A group, Justice for Akwa Ibom Forum, JAIF, has appealed to Nigerians to help secure the release of Mr. Thomas Thomas, Editor of Global Concord Newspapers, an Akwa Ibom State-based daily, who was alleged to have been apprehended by security agencies since Tuesday July 2.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, JAIF’s Convener, and popular musician, Mr. Victor Essiet (The Mandators), said: “We demand the immediate release from detention of Mr. Thomas Thomas and any detainee(s) arrested to enable political office holders have their way against their opponents.”

Essiet said investigation by the group showed that he was abducted by security agents because he allegedly published a write up against the interest of the government.

He said the Department State Services, DSS, had charged him to court for terrorism, adding that the magistrate simply said he had no jurisdiction and remanded him in custody in absentia.

Essiet, however, urged well meaning Nigerians and journalists to join the call for his immediate release from detention.

According to him, a statement by the tabloid, Global Concord Newspapers, stated that Thomas was picked up on Tuesday July 2 at about 3p.m. around NEPA Line by Aka Road in Uyo, while he boarded a tricycle, by security agents who brandished their identity cards when passers-by accosted them.