Our consideration has been attracted to the capture and detainment of a 38-year-old blogger and distributer of an online news medium, Abia Facts, Mr. Iroegbu Emenike by the State Security Service (SSS) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.
As indicated by the spouse of the blogger, Mrs. Ekaette Emenike Iroegbu, the blogger was captured by three (3) SSS agents who attacked their Uyo living arrangement in a Gestapo style in a dark jeep. The agents took away the two telephones of Mrs. Emenike; the bloggers own telephones and portable workstation, and so forth. Subsequent to scouring their flat, they whisked the blogger away without uncovering the purpose behind his capture and their destination.
As indicated by the spouse of the blogger, Mrs. Ekaette Emenike Iroegbu, the blogger was captured by three (3) SSS agents who attacked their Uyo living arrangement in a Gestapo style in a dark jeep. The agents took away the two telephones of Mrs. Emenike; the bloggers own telephones and portable workstation, and so forth. Subsequent to scouring their flat, they whisked the blogger away without uncovering the purpose behind his capture and their destination.
In spite of the fact that the Director of SSS, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Adesina educated me at around 9:04 pm on Tuesday, September 6, that he didn't know about the blogger's capture, the spouse of the blogger who went to the SSS office in Uyo has affirmed that her better half is being held by the SSS in Uyo.
Without bias to whatever reason may have spurred the capture and confinement of the blogger, it is extremely troubling that the principal right to opportunity of expression ensured by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as corrected) is being disintegrated at a disturbing and exceptional level following the beginning of the present regulation.
Couple of illustrations will suffice.
Emmanuel Ojo, a blogger, was captured by the Ogun State Police Command on Saturday, September 26, 2015 on the requests of the Ogun State representative over his production about the senator's significant other on Facebook. Blogger Seun Oloketuyi was similarly captured in 2015 over an online production. Mr. Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a well known blogger and political observer was captured and confined as of late by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over claimed cyberstalking. Mr. Musa Azare from Bauchi State was additionally captured as of late by the Nigeria Police Force professedly on the requests of his state representative over his basic distributions on online networking
The SSS and other security organizations ought to oppose the developing impulsive proclivities of political office holders to utilize security offices to clampdown on Nigerians for practicing their protected freedoms. Majority rules system is being undermined in Nigeria by the rising showcase of prejudice to free discourse.
Will the SSS and other security organizations capture, confine and indict each Nigerian that is blamed for making hostile or deprecatory production and articulation? The security offices ought not be seen to rub the inner selves of the powerful individuals from the general public.
The individuals who trust that their notoriety have been brought down according to right thinking individuals about the general public ought to investigate the legitimate choice by looking for review in an official courtroom.
While we are not yet sure about the person(s) who prompted Emenike's capture, it is on record that the Abia State conceived blogger has been always pestered by the operators and authorities of the Abia State Government over his productions. It is additionally on record that some administration authorities in Akwa Ibom State have been uncomfortable with some of his productions on the web.
We thus approach the SSS to discharge Mr. Iroegbu Emenike quickly. Harm to one, is damage to all.
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