Local newspaper publishers from Bayelsa State, yesterday, alleged that their colleague, Chief Jones Abiri, has died in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Abiri was whisked away on July 21, 2016 in Yenagoa by operatives of the DSS following his alleged involvement in militancy and a hoax by a militant group to launch six missiles in the Niger Delta.
The militant group, Abiri was accused of being a principal member, also flew a kite that some persons were planning to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari through a coup d’état.
Shortly after his arrest, the DSS issued a statement claiming that had confessed to his involvement in multiple militant activities.
Since then, Abiri, who published a local tabloid, the Atlantic Express had neither been seen in public nor charged to court by the DSS.
But his colleague under the auspices of the Pen Pushers Association of Nigeria (PPAN), said his lack of trial over 12 months after his arrest was an indication that he had died in the DSS custody.
The group in a statement by its National President, Mr. Richard Ogbagie, said sources informed PPAN that Abiri could not be arraigned because he died in the custody.
The statement said: “It is no longer news that one of our members, Chief Jones Abiri was arrested by the DSS at his office in Yenagoa on July 21,2016 and the DSS claimed that Abiri is nicknamed Akotebe Darikoro and was accused of furthering militant tendency in connivance with other criminal gangs in the Niger Delta.
“After the arrest, the DSS issued a statement alleging that Abiri masterminded the vandalism and bombing of Bigeria Agip Oil Company and the Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline in Southern Ijaw and Brass on 8th July, 2016.
“DSS also claimed that Abiri masterminded the much circulated hoax of planned overthrow of President Muhammadu Buhari and threat to launch missile attack on Aso Vilaa in Abuja.
“However we have noted, with concern, that after his arrest, he has not been arraigned ýbefore a competent Court of Law to ascertain if he is guilty or not.
We also wish to state at this point that 30 days after this communique Abiri will be one year in custody at an undisclosed location without trial.
“To us,the continued detention of Abiri without trial, according to the constitution of the country is unlawful, unjust and an infringement to the fundermental human rights of Abiri”.
The statement added: “Before his arrest, DSS should know that Abiri is married with children and lived with an aged mother and they are now languishing in penury without their breadwinner.
“Based on our submissions if the likes of Nnamdi Kanuý, accused of treasonable felony, a crime bigger that what was alleged that Abiri committed, is walking freely today, we don’t see any reason why Jones Abiri cannot be released on bail while facing trial in a competent Court of law.
“We are privileged to have an unconfirmed information that Abiri is long dead in DSS custody and that was the reason why they have refused to bring him to court.
“We also wish to inform you at this point that we have since reported this information to the Human Rights International, the Amnesty International and the Transparency Watch International for consideration.”