Journalist Jones Abiri whisked away by men suspected to be DSS operatives

Bayelsa-based journalist, Jones Abiri, has been whisked away by men suspected to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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

Abiri was in 2016, arrested at the same plaza where his office is located, by the after he was accused of being the leader of the joint revolutionary council of the separatist group, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force.

Though it could not be immediately ascertained if the gunmen were security operatives, they were said to have stormed the venue in a white Hilux and black SUV at about 4.30pm while Abiri was discussing with his colleagues.

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“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.

“While he was demanding to know his offence, he was forcefully pushed into a waiting vehicle at gun point. Currently, his whereabouts are unknown,” an eyewitness said.

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

The DSS have however not confirmed the reports of Abiri’s arrest.

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