JTF: Ikimi Demands Release Of Man Arrested In Ughelli Six Months Ago For Alleged Vandalization Of Oil Well Head

By Daniel Dafe

A law firm in Delta State, Ikimi Oghenejabor & Co., has petitioned the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, demanding the release of one Mr. Endurance Silver who was arrested “on the 20th of March, 2021 till date without his formal release or transfer to the police authorities for investigation.”

The letter dated 8th September, 2021, signed by Oghenejabor Ikimi, Esq.(Solicitor), said the wife of the victim, Mrs. Evelyn Silver, contacted them to secure her husband’s release.

According to Ikimi, “Mr. Endurance Silver, a commercial transporter was arrested by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on the said day at about 8:00pm along the East/West Expressway by E.J. Fast Food at Otovwodo in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State, on a thumped up charge of vandalizing an oiil well head in company of one Mr. Isaiah Akrah, a charge the said Mr. Endurance Silver stoutly and vehemently denied.”

Adding that Mr. Endurance Silver was handed over together with his Volkswagen Golf 3 Wagon Car with Registration Number: SKL 998 AA to men of the Military Police attached to the Sector 1, Joint Task Force, Effurun, Delta State where he has been held in custody till date in very deplorable condition.

Continuing, the law firm said on the 21st day of March, 2021, the said Mr. Isaiah Akrah was also arrested by Men of the Military Police attached to the Sector 1 and was subsequently released a month thereafter on terms while Silver continued to languish in their custody despite the numerous pleas of his wife.

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Ikimi added that despite a Solicitor’s letter written by the law firm on behalf of the victim’s wife, to the Sector 1 Commander, Colonel Rabiu Garuba, to ask for his release unconditionally or be handed over to the Police authorities for investigation, six months after his arrest and continued detention, same has been to no avail, adding that the petition to him became necessary.

They thus demanded that he order the immediate release of Mr. Silver or effect his transfer to the police authorities for thorough investigation.

The law firm vowed to seek lawful redress at the High Court, Effurun, Delta State against the Joint Task Force and the Nigerian Army for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Silver and claim damages at large against the Joint Task Force and the Nigerian Army.