Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Nigerian Concord Newspaper can authoritatively report that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume PhD has concluded plans to illegally free Hon. Jonathan Agbidye, the detained Benue lawmaker who was on Monday March 18, 2024 arrested by the Nigerian secret police (DSS) for his direct involvement in the killings, kidnapping and gun running in the Sankera Axis of Benue state.
According to findings by this newspaper, the former Benue state governor is using his influence on the Director General of the DSS as the Secretary to the Government of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu to immediately release Agbidye who is still under intensive interrogation at the DSS office in Makurdi.
Recall that men of the DSS Command in Benue state yesterday arrested the lawmaker representing Shitile State Constituency in order to conclude investigation into the allegation that he is sponsoring militia activities in Sankera.
A source at the DSS office in Makurdi who didn’t want to be mentioned for security reasons said that the secret police is investigating the lawmaker for aiding and abetting kidnapping for ransom, killing and brutalising perceived enemies, imposing illegal taxes on community members to raise funds for the purchase of weapons for militia groups, and being in possession of vehicles and equipment seized from kidnap victims among other criminal activities.
It would be recalled that Agbidye had been questioned severally on his involvement in Militia activities including robbery, kidnapping, and killing both at the police headquarters in Makurdi and the IG Response Team (IRT) headed by DCP Abba Kyari.
But despite his confession and admission of his involvement in all the criminal acts in Sankera, he was freed at the intervention of Senator George Akume who had been accused severally of supporting his criminal activities because of political association.
Recall that Mr. Agbidye has been a strong supporter of the Akume faction of APC in Benue state and was tipped as the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, had the Akume group succeeded at the House of Assembly election in June last year.
Our source has also confirmed that on receiving the news of Mr. Agbidye’s arrest yesterday, the SGF made desperate attempts to contact the DSS to drop the charges against Mr. Agbidye. “We were told he has assigned one, Mr. Maikyur to follow up with the DSS and ensure that Agbidye is not charged to the court. He has also promised Agbidye’s supporters that he will ensure that Agbidye is set free again” the source said.
Meanwhile, a pressure group known as the Concerned Shitile Movement for Peace in a press statement signed by Tordonga T.
and Igbazenda Michihe, Chairman and Secretary respectively has appealed to Senator George Akume to allow justice to prevail in the case of Agbidye.
The statement reads: “He (Akume) should allow the lawmaker to clear these allegations of criminality against him. We have suffered in silence for long because of the criminal activities of Mr. Agbidye, and would appreciate it if he is allowed to face the law.
“We also wish to urge the DSS to sustain the good work they have started and should not allow it to be aborted as was done in the past. The people of Sankera welcomed this positive development towards restoring peace in Sankera kingdom”