The detainees were freed after condemnation and pressure by human rights groups, including the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law – based in Onitsha, Anambra State.
No fewer than 63 residents of Obigbo in Rivers State who were arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army and the Department of the State Services have regained their freedom after four months.
The detainees were freed after condemnation and pressure by human rights groups, including the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law – based in Onitsha, Anambra State.
SaharaReporters learnt that they had been incarcerated since October 2020 at the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja but were finally arraigned in court last Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
A Magistrates' Court sitting in Wuse, Abuja, received a bail application filed on their behalf by human rights’ lawyers and the Obigbo residents were thereafter freed from the military custody.
The Intersociety in its report on the incident alleged that the Obigbo residents were detained at Mogadishu Army Barracks, Annex B at Asokoro, DSS Training Centre at Central Business District and its abandoned facility at Zuba and the Nigeria Police College at Suleja in Niger State.
The report was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Intersociety Board Chair, Chinwe Umeche, Head, Democracy and Good Governance, Obianuju Igboeli, Head, Civil Liberties and Rule of Law and Chidimma Udegbunam, Head, Campaign and Publicity.
The Intersociety also released the names of the 63 freed abductees.
Its report said, “Their names are: Paul Uche, Anozie Obinna, Ebubechukwu Kaima, Andrew Ekpere, Uka Obinna, Uche Emmanuel, Ekene Anayo, Bright Emma, Ikenna Uzoma, Olisa Chukwudi, Somtochukwu Ibe, David Joe, David Chukwu, Chikadibia Paul, Blessed Friday, Nwaogu Ekene, Charles Ikeogwu, Igwe Samuel, Gozie Samuel, Simeon Mbanefo, Eze Chike, Godwin Umeh, Tochukwu Umeh, Desmond Alphonsus, Ukauwa Irim, Sabinus Ula, Riguma Friday, Ekpan Sunday, Kezie Kelechi, Ifeanyi Otutu, Ambrose Anyanwu, Paul Chike, Tochukwu Obiekwe, and Elochukwu Moses.
“Others are Mike Anya, Echefuna Chukwu, Echefuna Uche, Gift Onyenkachi, Alozie Chukwunonso, Chukwuma Ibeano, Friday Nonso, Nebechi Kennedy, Imma Ochi, Stanley Igwe, Okoro Benson, Emeka Nwaogugu, Uchechi Emmanuel, Joe Boniface, Gregory Amokachi, Daniel Erinne, Samson Chinda, Victor Enrinne, Christopher Kachi, Uzoma Philip, Kainene Ernest, Ikechukwu Isaiah, Isaac Oriaku, Ekpere Mmadu, Uchenna Chris, Ebuka Silas, Honesty Gift, Osita Ifeanyi and Chibuike Robinson.”