Mother of journalist detained by DSS begs to see her son (Video)

Mrs Agnes Akpan, the mother of a Nigerian journalist, Kufre Carter, has appealed to the Department of State Security (DSS) to allow her see her son who is allegedly in their custody.

Carter, 27, who works as a journalist with XL 106.9 FM, a local radio station in Akwa Ibom, was arrested on April 27 by the DSS in Akwa Ibom state on allegations that he made defamatory comments against the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Health, Dominic Ukpong.

The journalist who was disowned in a press statement by the radio station where he works was reportedly invited for questioning by the SSS in Uyo, which he honored, but was clamped into detention.

He was later arraigned two days after his arrest on a three-count charge at a magistrate court in Uyo.

His continued detention forced his mum to pay a visit at the DSS office to see her son, but she was denied access.

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In a video she made which was shared by Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Kufre’s mum pleaded for the authorities to allow her see her son.

”I am here in the DSS department. I am the mother of Kufre Carter. My son did not commit any crime. Even if he is an armed robber, the family is permitted to see him in the cell and see how he is doing. My son did not commit any crime. To my surprise, the governor of Akwa Ibom state authorized the DSS not to allow me to see my son. I am here by the gate of DSS. They did not allow me and my children to see my son.

“I don’t have money. He is the one who gives me small money to eat because I retired in 2016. My Governor refused to give me my gratuity. I am being fed by my son. The state government wants me to die.

“I am now on drugs. If I die, God will require my blood from you. You did not allow me to see my son. What sin did my son commit? Did he kill somebody? Please let me see my child. Please for goodness sake let me see my son,” she said.

Mrs Agnes Akpan is the mother to detained journalist, @KufreCarter, held on the orders of Field-Marshall, @MrUdomEmmanuel, for criticising his health commissioner Akwa Ibom State. No1 can say why or how a mother shd be chased away for trying to see her son. pic.twitter.com/EHUtdbL6tp

— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) May 9, 2020

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