As The Crackdown On Freedom Of Speech In Nigeria Continues, Another Blogger Got Picked Up By The State Security Service In Akwa Ibom State

It is no more news that the Buhari led APC administration is heavily cracking down on bloggers to try to frighten the general public into backing off from criticizing the government, thereby limiting the peoples right to freedom of speech. 

According to report making round the Webb, Mr. Emenike Iroegbu, a blogger was arrested by three (3) SSS operatives who invaded their Uyo residence in a Gestapo style in a black jeep. 

''Without prejudice to whatever reason may have motivated the arrest and detention of the blogger, it is very worrisome that the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is being eroded at an alarming and unprecedented level since the inception of the current dispensation,'' the convener, Coalition of Human Right Defenders said in a statement.

Continuing with the statement, Mr Inibehe Effiong, ESQ. Convener, Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (COHRD), sighted other examples of continued crackdown on bloggers by Buhari's administration; He said; Emmanuel Ojo, a blogger, was arrested by the Ogun State Police Command on Saturday, September 26, 2015 on the orders of the Ogun State governor over his publication about the governor's wife on Facebook. Blogger Seun Oloketuyi was equally arrested in 2015 over an online publication. Mr. Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a popular blogger and political commentator was arrested and detained recently by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged cyberstalking. Mr. Musa Azare from Bauchi State was also arrested recently by the Nigeria Police Force allegedly on the orders of his state governor over his critical publications on social media

The SSS and other security agencies should resist the emerging capricious proclivities of political office holders to use security agencies to clampdown on Nigerians for exercising their constitutional liberties. Democracy is being threatened in Nigeria by the rising display of intolerance to free speech. Will the SSS and other security agencies be willing to arrest, detain and prosecute every Nigerian that is accused of making offensive or derogatory publication and statement? The security agencies should not be seen to be massaging the egos of the influential members of the society.

Those who believe that their reputation have been lowered in the eyes of right thinking members of the society should explore the legal option by seeking redress in a court of law.

While we are not yet certain about the person(s) who instigated Emenike's arrest, it is on record that the Abia State born blogger has been constantly harassed by the agents and officials of the Abia State Government over his publications. It is also on record that some government officials in Akwa Ibom State have been uncomfortable with some of his publications online.

We hereby call on the SSS to release Mr. Iroegbu Emenike immediately. Injury to one, is injury to all.

Thank you. Inibehe Effiong, ESQ.

Convener, Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (COHRD).