A Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG) has called for the immediate release of a retired Army Colonel Auwal Suleiman who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegation of being a member of a criminal gang.
The CSOs called for proper investigation stressing that the hasty mode in which he was prosecuted called for concerns.
While addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Convener of the group, Jacob Okpanachi, described the victim as one popularly known for his humanitarian services on Kogi.
His words: “Col. A.U Suleiman is known within the civil populace of Kogi State to be a humanitarian and a man of strong influence in the youth circle. He Is committed to the development and growth of the youths of Kogi State.
“In this light, we want to address the public and state on why he should be granted immediate release. That he is a man known within the state with no previous criminal records, secondly, the arrest was done immediately without proper investigation by all standards.
” It is on this note that we want to demand that the DSS undertake proper investigation before prosecution. Behind his arrest it is proper that light should be shone on the political process in Kogi state which might be the reason he was framed up.”
On his part, Dr. Suleiman Barnabas, representative of the family, described the arrest as a political conspiracy.
According to him, the retired Colonel on the day of arrest, was en route Abuja for the screening of APC Gubernatorial aspirant.
“The DSS released in their press statement that they intercepted a gang of criminals because in his convoy they saw someone with a pump action and from all investigation which they admitted belong to a vigilante member of Kogi State.
“I want to make it clear that what is going on in Kogi State is the illegality of the Kogi government against those they perceived as opponents for the 2023 Gubernatorial elections in Kogi State.
“I am here to draw the attention of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army that they should prevail on the director DSS in Kogi. I call on the military hierarchy and National Security Adviser to address this ongoing evil,” he appealed.