DSS Rearrests Journalist Illegally Detained for 2 Years, Jones Abiri

Matilda Omonaiye & NAN/

Armed men suspected to be operatives of Directorate of Security Services (DSS) this evening whisked away publisher of Weekly Source Newspaper, Jones Abiri,  to an undisclosed location.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiri, who was illegally detained for two years on charges of terrorism in the past, was whisked away at about 4.30pm.

Eyewitnesses said Abiri was in company of some collegues at his office at Azikoro junction of Yenagoa when the armed men arrived at the scene in a white Hilux Van and black Prado Jeep and forcibly dragged and pushed him into one of the vehicles and drove off.

Austin Bodo, a journalist who witnessed the incident, said: “We were sitting outside his office when a black Prado jeep and white Hilux drove into the premises in commando style.

“As they packed, two men carrying the type of guns used by DSS operatives, jumped out of one of the cars and said Abiri was under arrest and immediately started dragging him and forced him into one of the cars and drove off.”

Another witness, Mr. Bankole Abdulazeez, disclosed: “We were discussing national issues when the cars drove in.

“Two armed men came out of the cars and without identifying themselves, they said you are under arrest and started dragging him.

“They threatened to shoot anybody that tries to stop them.

“I heard him shouting ‘what have I done again? what have I done again?’ Before they finally dragged him into one of the cars and drove off.”

A DSS official, who preferred anonymity, told NAN he was not aware of the arrest.

“I only heard of it from a journalist friend; I don’t think it is our men from here,” the official claimed.

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