THISDAY

DSS Explains Arrest of Kaduna PDP Spokesman

- John Shiklam

Nigeria has a lot of technologi­cal potential if only we have the vision and the resolve to harness that potential, both human and material, to drive innovation through creative problem solving and smart investment coming together to improve lives. The time has come for our political leaders and captains of industry to not only invest in technologi­cal developmen­t and focus on academic excellence but also foster a new partnershi­p that will dramatical­ly improve Nigeria’s ability to make a difference from commercial­izing research to engaging with our academic institutio­ns whereby both academia and industry can collaborat­e to leverage technology for the greater good of the country. We can no longer continue to reject technology. The Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) has given reasons for arresting the state spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisati­on, Mr. Ben Bako.

Bako was invited to the office of the DSS last Sunday for allegedly making inciting comments during the PDP campaign rally in Kafanchan.

He was arrested and taken to Abuja where he is being detained.

In a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, the DSS said Bako made inciting statements capable of causing a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond if left on checked.

The DSS said Bako was arrested in order for him to “shed more light on his inciting statement.”

The statement which was signed by the state Director of the secret service, A I Koya, said: “Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigat­ed and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.”

According to the statement, “On February 9, 2019, this service invited Mr. Ben Bako to shed more light on his inciting statement and call for violence in the state.

“Earlier on February 7, 2019, Bako had addressed a rally at Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State.

“During the rally, Bako was recorded calling his followers to kill anybody that votes for any party other than the PDP. The video has already gone viral through the social media.

“Bako, a former Commission­er for Informatio­n in the state and a leader in his own right, made this call along with other inciting statements at Kafanchan, deliberate­ly with the intention to cause violence in the state.

“This developmen­t, if left unchecked, could lead to complete breakdown of law and order in this state and beyond. Consequent­ly, Bako is under investigat­ion by the Service and would be charged to court as soon as investigat­ion is completed.

“Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigat­ed and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.

“The service assures the good people of the state that in collaborat­ion with sister security agencies, would ensure that citizens are free to exercise their right to freedom of associatio­n and choice without hindrance.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria