DSS Speaks On Why It Arrested Kaduna PDP Chieftain, Ben Bako

Light has been shed on the arrest of the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Ben Bako by the Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services on Monday.

The security operatives revealed that Bako was arrested following a recent inciting statement credited to him.

The command stated that if the statement is not attended to it is capable of leading to a “complete breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond”.

Recall that Naija News had reported that Bako was arrested after a video in which he allegedly called for anybody that fails to vote for the PDP in the forthcoming election to be killed.

PDP while reacting to the arrest stated that his arrest was part by the plan of the All Progressives Congress to oppress other opposition.

DSS while speaking on the arrest stated that the PDP man was arrested in order for him to “shed more light on his inciting statement.

The statement which, was issued and signed by AI Koya, state director of DSS of the state Command said “other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate of found culpable.

“On the 9th February 2019, this service invited Mr. Ben. Bako to shed more light on his inciting statement and call for violence in the state. Earlier on the 7th February 2019 Bako had addressed a rally at Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state.

“During the rally, Bako was recorded calling his followers to kill anybody that votes for any party other than the PDP. The video has already gone viral through social media.

“Bako, a former commissioner for information in this state and a leader in his own right made this call along with other inviting statements at Kafanchan, deliberately with the intention to cause violence in the state.

“This development, if left unchecked, could lead to complete breakdown of law and order in this state and beyond. Consequently, Bako is under investigation by the service and would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed. Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.

“The service assures the good people of Kaduna state that in collaboration with sister security agencies would ensure that citizens are free to exercise their right to freedom of association and choice without hindrance,” the statement read.

PDP claimed that the action of DSS was premeditated, stating that the party was aware of APC’s plan to arrest top leaders of the opposition party.

PDP Chairman in the state, Felix Hassan Hyat, who spoke with the press at the party’s secretariat in Kaduna said,

“In the first week of December 2018, we started hearing rumours that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i in collaboration with State Security agencies will arrest strong PDP members, days before the elections.

“We took it as mere rumours. The reality is now on the ground and the action has started.”