Whereabouts of 3 arrested in Bayelsa remain unknown, families lament

Over what they described as a negation of the freedom of information, the families of three men arrested by soldiers at Ibelebiri community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Friday lament the dearth of information from the military operatives over their whereabouts and called on government to prevail on the authority to furnish them with valid information.

The names of the three men arrested are Bobanimibofa Clinton, 35, Ebikeme Mathew, 37 and Bobayenimibofa James, 30.

However, the military operatives that arrested them did not give any reason as to what offence they committed, neither did they disclose the formation where they came from.

Speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa, Mr. Tubokeyiba Clinton, elder brother of Bobanimibofa Clinton said the bizarre situation has become frightening as not even a clue as filtered in 15 months after the arrest to ascertain whether they are dead or alive.

Residents of Ibelebiri community have continued to empathize with the victims’ families, adding that it is against human rights and a violation of rule of law to arrest without advancing reason, while family members are left no information for more than a year and three months counting.

The three were arrested by soldiers, according residents in the Ogbia community in May 2016.

It was gathered that on the fateful day, some armed men dressed in military uniforms had stormed Ibelebiri community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa state at about midnight, picking up three persons in their van after the operation in the area.

Mother of Ebikeme Mathew, Madam Celina Mathew said life has been very frustrating since the disappearance of her son as she has to battle with stroke in addition to feeding his five children.

She stated that she had experienced one tragedy too many with her husband, an Inspector in the Police, allegedly killed in Isiokpo, Rivers state by a fellow policeman on special duty some years back.

Wife of Mathew, Mrs. Celestina maintains that her husband is an innocent man who was arrested unjustly.

The spouse of Bobayenimibofa James, Mrs. Tari James, could not fight back tears, in an emotion laden response noted, that the family is still at a loss over the whereabouts of her husband, one year three months after he was picked up in his residence.

Mr. Tubokeyiba Clinton, elder brother of Bobanimibofa Clinton appealed to the authorities to take them to court if they had committed any crime, adding that the incident clearly depicts violation of the rule of law and an abuse of human rights by the military.

Chairman of the council of chiefs of Ibelebiri community, Chief Godpower Ogoli wants government to ensure that the whereabouts of the three arrested persons are made known.

Also, members of Ibelebiri Community described the incident as military brutality and lack of respect of fellow humans, even as they admitted that findings revealed that the three men were taken away by the Nigeria Army Intelligence Corps during the one hour operation and whisked to Abuja, though their whereabouts remain shrouded in secrecy.

The military authorities have kept mute on the incident despite several efforts to get a response on the allegations levelled against the suspects raising concerns on their wellbeing.