Date Published: 05/26/11

How I was arrested and detained by 75 Mobile Policemen by S.A Maagbe

S.A Maagbe looking at the lifeless body of Charles Ayede

I was arrested on Friday 20th May 2011 by a whole unit of mobile policemen, 75 to be precise. I was detained at Force Headquarters (C.I.D) Area 10 Abuja; with Abua and 13 others from my village including a 14 year old boy who sweeps my late cousin Charles Ayede's house in the village at Ajio. Our Governor Professor Steve Torkuma Ugbah was brought in on Monday 23rd May 2011.

We were all brought back to Makurdi and arraigned in court on Tuesday 24th May 2011 on charges of mischief and instigating public disturbance. A petition to that effect was written to the inspector General of police by the Governor of Benue state Gabriel Suswam. We were granted bail Tuesday evening.

On the 13th May 2011, I was attacked by gun men at Akanga on my way from Abuja to Makurdi. My cousin Charles Ayede was killed and I escaped into the bush with wounds from 5.45pm to 10.45 before help came to me. I have reported this to the Director General State Security Service, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Benue State and Nassarawa State Police Commands, Director of State Security Services and up to the time I was arrested, while making preparations for my brother's funeral; no action has been taken.

I am 57years old, I have been a University Lecturer, Company Secretary, General Manager of a company, Director of a Federal Government Establishment, Executive Director of General Telecommunications, a British Company and I sit on the Board of many companies.

I am a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management among other professional Bodies. Above all, I am a born again Christian. It is the first time in my life that I have been detained and taken to court in my 57 years on earth.

I want to thank you all for the numerous messages of support and solidarity. Leadership has a price.

Professor Steve Torkuma Ugbah won the election in Benue state and his mandate was stolen.

I am in this struggle not because of what I can get (neither my late cousin Charles Ayede a retired Federal Director who paid with his blood was in it for that purpose).

I believe that the people of Benue state deserve something better. This generation and subsequent ones will ask us questions if we do not fight for their rights. My children go to the best schools here in Nigeria and abroad. It is therefore not for my children, but for those who don't have a voice.

We need good and selfless leadership, focus, direction and determination to move this state forward. Our people need to be freed from the purposeless leadership of Gabriel Suswam.

I want to assure all of you that I will not get involved in anything ungodly or illegal. I am a law abiding citizen. I want to further assure you that I will not abandon this struggle for anything. With God helping us, we shall take back the Mandate that the people of Benue state gave to Professor Steve Torkuma Ugbah.

We cannot have a sound society unless we have a sufficient number of men and women who cannot be bought. No good or harmonious social life is possible unless there is a quorum of men and women of integrity, men and women who cannot be bought by anything. Prof Ugbah and Mr. Adaa Maagbe cannot be bought.

I sincerely thank you all of you for your support and I urge you to stay calm, peaceful, unwavering and focused in your support for a just society.

Thank you and God bless you all.

S.A Maagbe.