Joe Effiong, Uyo
The family of the Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Gov Udom Emmanuel, Capt Iniobong Ekong (retd), has called for his immediate release from detention.
Ekong who disappeared since February 22, 2019, being the eve of the presidential and National Assembly elections, is believed to be in detention at the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army based in Port Harcourt.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday on behalf of the family and friends of the detained ex-military officer, his elder brother, Mr Abasekong Ekong, said the governor’s aide “was purportedly invited by the GOC 6 Division. Major General Jamil Sarham, to Port Harcourt based on a petition allegedly written by Senator Godswill Akpabio against him.
“Captain Iniobong Ekong has been missing since of 22nd February 2019, and the last contact we had with was a phone call to his office by 5 pm on that day. We are yet to receive a formal arrest warrant or legal summons concerning this matter.
“This gentleman has a wife and children, aged parents and siblings, friends and business associates who are highly distressed about his whereabouts since 22nd February 2019. That is 11 clear days since he has been last seen
“It should be noted that Captain Iniobong Ekong is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Security Matters, and has served the state faithfully in this capacity with immense passion for truth and justice upholding all his actions and duties within the ambits of the law and principles of equity and love for the progress and development of Akwa Ibom State. This he has done for upwards of 8-11 years in and out of office,” the family said.
They called on all the authorities concerned to address the matter and affect the immediate and unconditional release of Captain Ekong and Mr Iniobong Edem, a serving councilor, who was last seen with Ekong on the same date.
“We also called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the acting Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, National Human Rights Commission, The Nigerian Bar Association, Amnesty International, Constitutional Rights Project, Nigerian Centre for Human Rights and Development, Human Rights Monitor, Human Rights Kaw Services (Hurilaws) and the international community at large to assist in upholding the fundamental rights of our son, brother and friend, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd).”
Gov Udom Emmnauel, speaking on the arrest on Capt. Ekong, had on the presidential and National Assembly election day, dared the Nigeria Police to construct more cells in the state in order to accommodate the 2.1 million voters in order to fulfill their mission of hindering free and fair elections in the state.
“I don’t know what they think one man can do. This is just one human being and we are ready for the election. If he has any issue, I think it is just the police that should have questioned him, but why invite him to 6 Division, not even the 2 Brigade that is in the state. I doubt the genuineness of such detention. I just don’t want to pre-empt until we check with the army,” the governor said.