...As Witnesses Ready to Testify Over Alleged Tompolo Private Prison, Says Convener of Warri Reclamation Thrust

C Convener of Warri Reclamation Thrust, Mrs Mene Tsaye, has raised the alarm over what she described as growing lawlessness and alleged human rights abuses in Nigeria, saying it is disappointing that such incidents are being reported under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former pro-democracy activist who fought against military rule.

Speaking on behalf of the Warri Reclamation Thrust, Tsaye accused the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) of applying the law selectively, particularly in the Niger Delta.

She said the group had submitted petitions for months now and several other pending petitions for more than a year ago to the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Presidency, the DSS and several other security agencies over allegations of human rights abuses and the existence of an alleged private detention facility linked to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

According to Tsaye, the petitions contained allegations of torture, dehumanisation, oppression and forced labour involving victims, including Itsekiri people. She said the group also submitted witness statements and video evidence but claimed that the petitioners were never invited by the security agencies to provide further information.

Tsaye questioned why authorities had not taken similar action against those named in the petitions, while activists who have continued to speak publicly about the allegations are being arrested.

She cited the case of Chief Barrister Robinson as another example, alleging that police previously attempted to arrest  abduct over similar advocacy. According to Tsaye, the matter was taken to the United Nations and also  became the subject of a fundamental rights case in court, where, she claimed, judgment has been delayed for months in the most of glaring facts.

Her latest comments followed the arrest of activist Comrade Perela Ezekiel Osaia by the police. Tsaye described the arrest as unfair when compared with what she said was the authorities' failure to act on the group's earlier petitions along with other well meaning Nigerian Deltans.

On behalf of the Warri Reclamation Thrust, she demanded the immediate release of Osaia. She said that if the authorities would not release him on bail, they should charge him to court so that the evidence against himand the evidence held by her supportersas well as other victims can be properly examined.

Tsaye said the victims and witnesses cited in the petitions are still alive and willing to testify. She also said her group is prepared to present video recordings and other evidence in court if given the opportunity.

She warned that continued allegations of unequal enforcement of the law could threaten peace in the Niger Delta and called on President Tinubu to direct security agencies to respect the rule of law and ensure that all citizens are treated equally before the law.