The illegal siege on Rivers State by Federal security agencies continued
unabated during the early hours of Saturday as hundreds of Department of
State Services (DSS) operatives and policemen attempted to illegally
abduct a Federal High Court judge residing at Number 35 Forces Avenue in
Port Harcourt
The illegal failed abduction was led by Mr Tosin Ajayi, Rivers State
Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Rivers State Police
Commissioner, Mr Francis Odesanya.
The operatives of DSS reportedly rough-handled Governor Wike, pushing him
around and injuring his hand. A few of the operatives cocked their rifles
and threatened to shoot the Governor.
They were irked by Governor Wike’s arrival at the scene shortly after the
failed abduction process began. It was learnt that Governor Wike received
security information on the illegal moves, minutes after the operation
started.
The security operatives blocked the entrance of the residence of the
Federal High Court judge at about 1am on saturday morning, claiming that
they were acting on orders from above. As they dragged Governor Wike, they
insisted that they must be allowed to leave with the judge.
However, the commotion attracted passers by and journalists who thronged
the vicinity to know why hundreds of security agents in several Patrol
vans had been mobilised.
Upon the arrival of the national media, the Rivers State Director of the
DSS, Mr Tosin Ajayi jumped into his vehicle and fled the scene.
However, addressng journalists, Rivers State Police Commissioner, Francis
Odesanya said the two security agencies were at the scene because they
received privileged information.
Odesanya claimed he was at the scene as a peace maker. He declined
comments on why the Police joined the DSS to abduct a serving Federal High
Court judge.
In an interview with journalists at the scene of the failed illegal
abduction of a Federal High Court judge by the Police and DSS, Governor
Wike said it will not be under his watch that security agencies wiĺl be
allowed to entrench needless impunity.
He declared that their reckless action portends danger to the nation’s
democracy, noting that he is convinced that President Buhari is not aware
of the level of impunity being perpetrated by Federal Securiy agencies.
Governor Wike stated that whatever the situation, the rule of law must
prevail in a democratic setting.
He said if the security agencies had a lawful directive to implement, they
must follow due process .
According to him: “Not under my watch wiĺl I allow this kind of impunity
to take place. That is why we are here. I don’t know which judge they were
detailed to abduct. I didn’t bother myself to know which judge. All I am
interested in is that, at this level, it is not allowed.
“He is not a criminal and he is not an armed robber. If the person has
committed an offence, invite him. It is only when he refuses to honour the
invitation that you can adopt this commando style.
“The Commissioner of Police is here, the Director of DSS is here. Their
operatives cocked their guns and threatened to shoot me. I have never seen
that before. Again , this is to tell you what we are facing . We know that
more will come. For us in this state, we shall continue to resist it.”
Governor Wike added: “It doesn’t matter what it will cost. When you talk
about liberty, sacrifices must be made. We are not trying to stop an
arrest. All we are saying is that things must be done decently and in line
with the rule of law.
“Rivers State is under siege. For you to see a governor out at this time
of the day, something is wrong. A siege is an understatement. If this type
of thing happens next time, the people wiĺl resist it to the last”.
The governor stressed: “They are trying to do something funny in this
state, probably to declare a state of emergency.