Deji Adeyanju Reacts To The Rearrest Of Jones Abiri

The Concerned Nigerians Group, has lamented that Nigeria is fast drifting into fascism under the present administration.

The group stated this while reacting to the rearrest of Bayelsa State-based journalist, Jones Abiri by suspected operatives of the Department of State Services.

Abiri had been taken away over the weekend to an unknown location. This is coming few months after the journalist was released after two years of detention.

Deji Adeyanju, the convener of Concern Nigerians, stated that the people will be refered to as enemies of the country for criticizing the government.

In a statement released to Naija News by Adeyanju he said, “We condemn in its entirety the gestapo manner in which a Bayelsa based Journalist and Publisher, Jones Abiri was re-arrested by men suspected to be men of the Department of State Services.”

“Concerned Nigerians condemn the continuous ill-treatment of Jones Abiri who was just performing his civic duties of gathering information for the general public and holding the government accountable.”

“The re-arrest of Journalist, Jones Abiri who was released few months ago by a competent court of jurisdiction after a prolonged incarceration by the DSS is a clear affront on press freedom.”

“The injustice being meted on Jones Abiri is troubling and it further attests to the fact that Nigeria is fast drifting into fascism where people will be tagged enemies of the state for being critical of the government.”

“If this kind of behavior continues, it’s going to result in journalists being afraid to ask questions and people being afraid to stand up for the country.”

“A free press is one of the building blocks of our democracy. Without it, democracy is in danger. Nigerians, regardless of their political beliefs, have the right to stand up and ask government tough questions.”

“We urge the SSS to regard journalism as a noble service and not a crime. We appeal to our security agents to always behave in a mature and professional manner and to avoid arresting and forcing journalists to name their sources for merely doing their job.”