Date Published: 11/05/09

The need to call the Rivers State SSS to Order ...As Father Demand for the release of son wrongfully arrested

Mr. Frank Nnah Osimiri wrongfully  arrested by the rivers state SSS

The State Security service is arguably the most potent agency used by the government to unravel and crack serious cases, they are so favoured by the policies of government  and structured in a such a way that they are assumed infallible, hence there importance to society cannot be over emphasized.

However, as much as we appreciate the efficacy of the State Security Service, we would not fail to point out here that they are human and might be prone to blunder after all. It is on this premise that we take a critical look at the wrongful whisking away of 27 years old Mr. Frank Nnah Osimiri who hails from Opobo, in Opobo local Government Area of Rivers state.

Frank Nnah Osimiri was wrongfully whisked away by men of the state security service at a street called Ukwuato in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers state at exactly 4:13 pm on August 21 st 2009 following a random raid on the area by men of the agency.

According to Frank’s Parents Mr. and Mrs Raymond Osimiri he was arrested in company of two others who has since been released while efforts made to prove their sons innocence has continued to hit the brick wall with revelation that Frank has been moved to Calabar in Cross river State from Port Harcourt  office.

Nothing can be more painful and joy killing for parents like the sudden disappearance of a son that has been described as a moral model for his peers, nothing can be more frustrating than making all the best efforts within their powers to see that justice is brought to fore to vindicate their son to no avail. This vividly explains the situation Frank’s Parents, Mr. and Mrs.  Raymond Osimiri finds themselves.

Frank’s Families has continue to express fear following the Security agency’s refusal to give reasons for the arrest, neither are  they prepared to be economical with information on the where about of the youth. They explained that they have no clues about Franks whereabouts, worst still hopes about if he is still alive has left much to be desired.  The dilemma has generated psychological break down for his entire family and all those connected to him.

“Frank could turn out to be a victim of extra judicial killing,  who knows he  might  have been erroneously killed  but we pray it doesn’t come to that  because the way the Security agency is hiding and going about it we need somebody to talk to us, that is what they have refuse to do” one of frank’s cousin was quoted as saying.

Frank Nnah Osimiri is a 27 year old who attended his secondary education at the popular Government Secondary School Port Harcourt, a quiet humble and unassuming young man who allegedly was wrongfully whisked away because he found himself positioned in an area where the SSS raid took place.

The father Mr. Raymond Osimiri pleading for the innocence of his son,  said "My son was not affiliated with any party or gang whatsoever hence we are all lost for word as to why he should be arrested, now we do not know what has happened and why his whereabouts are not been made known. He is an innocent and humble young boy whom we can swear did not have any such connections that could raise doubts in our minds".   

“ We have done everything within our reach to make them release the innocent boy to avail. In fact the other two boys arrested with him on that fateful day has since been released and we are wandering if it could it be set up, or handiwork of those who never wanted peace to reign in the area? If not why should there be such a wrongful arrest with impunity” he queried, pointing out that their house is located at the Ukwuato axis in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, he explained that unfortunately frank was outside with his friends when the SSS came and raided the place whisking him away.
Also to lend her voice on details about her son was franks mother Edyna Osimiri who maintained that Frank has not hidden his dislike for young boys who channel their God given energies to criminality, militancy and other societal vices. According to her his natural calmness and stance against boys perpetrating all sort of mayhem on society ensured he would be appointed chairman of a committee set by government to ensure peace in the area .“Following pockets of rival groups culminating into violence government felt it was imperative to constitute a body that will bring about peace in the area springing up in the area and he was appointed where he did a commendable job and helped in entrenching peace, could that be their grouse/ we are yet to know” the mother posited.

Within that period we gathered he discharged his duties with the zeal and passion of a man who needed change to the admiration of all and sundry and the success brought about by that committee cannot be overemphasized.

With a spark of hope in his eyes, Frank’s father Mr. Raymond Osimiri is calling on the Minister for defence Maj. Gen Godwin Abbe (Rtd), the Director General of State Security service, the governor of river state Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his counterpart in cross river state , Liyel Imoke to intervene by setting up an inquiry to look into this case of wrongful arrest and the issue of keeping the family and everyone in the dark about the possible whereabouts and state of the arrested boy so that justice can prevail on this matter at the earliest possible time.