Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and Student Matters and President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, is currently being detained by men of the Department of State Services.
Ugochinyere, a lawyer, was said to be arrested since Monday after he honoured an invitation extended to him by the Assistant Director of Internal Security. Since then, the family is yet to hear from him.
According to the family, the DSS has refused to grant access to Ugochinyere.
“Information at our disposal has it that Ikenga informed his family of his invitation to the office of the DSS, yesterday by 10:00hrs on the call of the Assistant Director Internal Security.
“He has not been seen nor heard from since the time he entered the premises of the DSS. Every attempt by his family, lawyers and personal physician to have access to him have been resisted by the security outfit.
“Ikenga is the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and also Senior Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and Students Matters and the family has been withstanding immense pressure from Nigerian youths who are calling from all over the country enquiring about the welfare of their President.
“We have limits to our strength to withstand this pressure if Nigeria youths want to approach the State and demand for the whereabouts of their President,” a statement by the family members said.
Ugochinyere is said to be detained over a petition by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, after he (Ugochinyere) had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Dalung as Minister.
Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has demanded for immediate release of the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere who has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The demand was made in a statement signed by CNPP’s Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu on Tuesday, cautioning the State security agencies on illegal arrest and detention of law abiding citizens who have contrary view on any issue concerning the government of the day.
“We demand for the immediate release of President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere who has been arrested by the Department of State services (DSS).
“According to information available to us, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere was illegally arrested and detained bt the DSS for initiating contempt proceedings against Minister of Youths and Sports Solomon Dalung and for demanding for fair trial for Senate President Bukola Saraki.
“Citizens of Nigeria must be allowed to hold opinion in line with the laws of the land. We therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of the Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere,” the statement read.