The Eric Omare-led Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide yesterday urged the Acting Director-General of Department of State Service (DSS) Matthew Seiyefa to release Niger Delta youths in DSS custody without trial.
The group commended Acting President Yemi Osibanjo for intervening in the crisis between National Assembly and the DSS.
Omare, in a statement, said the Acting President displayed courage in sacking the former Director-General of DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura, following the agency’s role in the blockade of National Assembly.
He urged Seiyefa to release Nigerians, especially Niger Delta youths in DSS custody without trial.
He said: “It would be recalled that the DSS under Mr. Daura arrested and detained several Nigerians without trial for years despite court orders demanding the release of arrested persons.
“The recent arraignment in court of Mr. Jones Abiri, a Yenagoa-based journalist after about two years of detention is a typical example. Mr. Seiyefa must ensure that Nigerians are not held in the DSS detention facilities indefinitely without being taken to court”.
He said Osibanjo deserved praise for his prompt reaction, which he noted will restore sanity in the activities of security agencies.
He lamented that some actions of security agencies have brought shame to Nigeria in the international community.
“However, the IYC further states that it is not enough for the Federal Government to sack the DSS boss, but an independent and thorough investigation should be carried into the incident to unravel those that were involved and bring them to justice.
“This is the only way the security apparatus of state can continue to command the respect of Nigerians and the international community”.
Omare said the IYC also noted and hailed the heroic role of Boma Goodhead, a lawmaker, and the the younger sister to former President of IYC, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, from Rivers State.
“Goodhead and other members of the National Assembly, who confronted the DSS officials on an illegal mission to the National Assembly demonstrated courage, which is needed to check a government inclined to dictatorship.
“For those with vindictive instinct, we wish to warn them to stay clear of Goodhead Boma as the Ijaw nation is watching. It is our expectation that the sack of Mr. Daura would bring to a stop the use of security agencies as agents of terror against citizens,” he said.