Group says re-arrest of Abiri an attack on press freedom

Following reports of alleged re-arrest of Bayelsa-based journalist and publisher, Jones Abiri, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), a group, Concerned Nigerians, has condemned the arrest.

Abiri was on Saturday, whisked away from the Ayabowei Plaza hosting the secretariat of local newspapers publishers at the Amarata suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

In a statement by its convener, Mr Deji Adeyanju, the group said the re-arrest of Abiri, who was released few months ago by a competent court of jurisdiction after a prolonged incarceration by DSS, was a clear affront on press freedom.

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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 officials of DSS.

“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 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 behaviour 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.

Abiri, was first arrested in 2016 and kept in DSS custody for two years. He regained freedom in 2018 after intense campaign from several local and international groups.

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