The IPOB Enugu Media, wishes to condemn in its entirety, the illegal arrest and detention of Chima Joseph, the Udenu Local Government Coordinator, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Otukpa Division in Benue State.
At the late hours of yesterday, the IPOB Udenu local government, informed the State Media of the arrest of its Coordinator on the 27th of August, 2017, for merely embarking on evangelism across the border of the State.
Chima Joseph who embarked on a one-man squad evangelism to sensitize the people of Biafra in the road stretch connecting Enugu and Benue States was picked by up by members of the overzealous vigilante group stationed at the Benue border.
It was noted that Joseph was riding on his motorcycle which had a Biafra flag flying on it. The local vigilante group in the area accosted and handed him over to the Otukpa Police Division stationed at Ogbadibo Local government of Benue State. And since then, he has been keep in detention.
While the Otukpa Divisional Police Officer, has claimed that he has no say in the matter as he is said to be awaiting further directives from the Benue State Police Commissioner, we appeal that hence he has not been found guilty of any known crime or offence, he should be immediately released to reunite with his family who are now extremely worried about his wellbeing.
“We went to the Ogbadibo Police Division where he was detained. The DPO said the order came from the headquarters not to release him.
“They directed us to come back tomorrow for more update on whether he would be released or not,” said a source who visited Joseph yesterday.
Now, according to the DPO, the Biafra activist has been transferred to the Area Command, Nsukka for reasons best known to them.
Chima Joseph like other freedom fighters, is nonviolent and submissive to the laws of the land. We see no valid reason why he should be detained and left to the mercy of a Commissioner who cares less about the citizens of the State. This young man has not violated any law that will warrant his unnecessary detention.
The Otukpa DPO and the State CP should ensure that nothing happens to the hapless man while in detention and to further avert any unpleasant incident, the captors should let the captive go.
We are sounding this alert to Biafrans all over the world to let them know that the Otukpa DPO and the State Police Commissioner is needlessly holding one of us captive should they go above the red lines. We therefore, unanimously call for the immediate release of Chima Joseph from illegal detention.
By Adaobi Ngozi
Enugu Media Team
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