President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, yesterday narrated his ordeal with the State Security Service (SSS), declaring that he was maltreated by the security agents.
Comrade Oshiomhole who disclosed this to news-men in Abuja, said he was arrested by the SSS at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, without any warrant.
According to him, a team of SSS operatives numbering about 15, wrestled him to the ground and bundled him into their station wagon car as a result of which he sustained bruises on his hands and legs.
He said that the incidence took place in the full view of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh and the secretary, Chief Vincent Ogbulaufor, including some members of the National Assembly.
Comrade Oshiomhole who appeared with bruises as a result of his encounter with the SSS, said his suit was torn by the SSS in their bid to arrest him.
“Just a few minutes before departure, two young men approached me saying that the director of SSS wanted to see me. And I said well, I thought the director of SSS has my phone numbers and if he wanted to see me, he would have called my office or call me. And I would have gone to see him.
“The director of the SSS had called me in the past and I never failed to show up because we are not an underground group.
“And I did assure the gentlemen that I will honour the invitation on my return to Abuja. He then told me that he was going to make contact with his superiors and they will come back. I think he we-nt to his office. I imagined he might have made contacts.
“He then came back and said that instructions were that I must follow him. And I said well, if you say I must follow then, you must have the legal basis to said so. And that is to say, you must have a warrant of arrest.
“The gentleman said well, I had to follow him. I said well I am sorry I wont’ follow you because you don’t have any warrant of arrest. And I asked why he didn’t come to my house, why do you prefer the airport?
“In fact I was discussing with Colonel Madaki who was also at the airport when they started pushing me,” Oshiomhole narrated.
Meanwhile, the deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, has described the NLC president, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole as the peoples president.
Senator Mantu who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja when he visited the NLC president in his office, said he was at the secretariat of the NLC to commiserate with Comrade Oshiomhole, over his encounter the SSS.
Senator Mantu said that he was glad that the NLC president was in good shape and ready to do what is in the interest of the nation.
He said that the NLC was doing what is in the interest of the common man in Nigeria and appealed to him to reconsider the strike.
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