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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned what it described as the harassment, illegal arrest, and detention of opposition figures in Kogi State, warning that such actions could trigger far-reaching legal consequences both locally and internationally.
In a press statement issued by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam, the party alleged that a recent defector from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Faruk Ozigi Onimisi, is currently being unlawfully detained by the Nigerian Police.
According to the NDC, Onimisi was reportedly abducted in what it described as a “kidnap-style operation” from his residence in Kubwa, Abuja, and subsequently transported to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, by operatives allegedly acting on directives from the state government.
The party further claimed that the political activist is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department under inhumane conditions, including solitary confinement and alleged torture. It also stated that he has been denied access to legal representation, family members, and has not been formally charged in court, actions it says violate his fundamental human rights.
The NDC argued that Onimisi’s arrest was linked to his alleged plans to organize a civic protest against the state government, describing the move as a “repressive tactic” frequently deployed to silence dissenting voices.
“We demand his immediate release or, at the very least, that he be charged to court without further delay if any legitimate offense has been committed,” the statement read.
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The party called on the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Kogi State Command, to cease what it termed harassment and intimidation of opposition members. It emphasized that citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and association are guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitution, as well as international frameworks such as the African Union and United Nations charters.
The NDC also issued a stern warning to the administration of Ahmed Usman Ododo, urging it to halt what it described as oppressive actions against political opponents or face legal challenges.
According to the statement, continued clampdowns could prompt the party’s legal team to initiate court proceedings against the Kogi State Government and relevant security agencies. It further warned of possible escalation to international bodies, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, to seek sanctions and justice.
Despite the tensions, the NDC urged its members and supporters in Kogi State particularly in Kogi Central to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and resolute, assuring that its leadership organs are considering appropriate responses to the situation.
