Bayelsa-based journalist Jones Abiri has once again been
arrested by men of the Department of State Services (DSS),
SaharaReporters reports.
Abiri was arrested at Ayabowei Plaza in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa
State capital.
Our reporter understands that the men stormed the venue with a
white Hilux and black SUV while Abiri was discussing with his
colleagues at the secretariat of the Bayelsa Publishers office.
”The armed men jumped out of the hilux van threatening to shoot
Abiri if he moved, only to be forced into the Hilux. They then
zoomed off while the other jeep closely followed behind. The guns
they carried were similar to those of the secret service.”
Another witness said: “The men jumped out of the vehicles in a
gestapo fashion while he was chatting with his friends, said
shouted ‘you are under arrest’. While he was demanding to know his
offence, he was forcefully pushed into a waiting vehicle at gun
point. Currently, his whereabouts are unknown.”
When SaharaReporters contacted Peter Afunanya, the DSS
spokesman, he said he could not confirm the arrest as he hadn’t
received a briefing to the effect. He promised to get in touch once
he receives a briefing on the mattter.
In 2016, the DSS arrested Abiri, alleging that he was a
militant.
It also said Abiri, a known local newspaper publisher, was the
leader of the Joint Revolutionary Council of the Joint Niger Delta
Liberation Force, which has separatist inclinations and maintains
ties with criminal gangs.
He regained freedom in 2018 after an intense campaign from
several local and international groups.
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