The Peace Committee of Chanchanji Ward has express its deep concern and outright condemnation over the recent arrest and detention of its leader, Mr. Salem Mela, along with his pregnant wife and six children.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary, Peace Committee, Chanchanji ward, Solomon John Kulenkwagh, and issue to newsmen in Jalingo.
The statement reads in parts,
“This unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, at approximately 1:20 AM, when a team of uniformed men, suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army, stormed their residence and took them into custody.
“The Chanchanji Central Youth formed this peace committee in February of this year, with the mission to foster peace and unity among the five Tiv clans under Chanchanji Council Ward.
“Our efforts, which have been recognized and approved by local authorities, including the Local Government Chairman, the Divisional Police Officer of Takum, and the Commanding Officer of the 93 Battalion, Ada Barracks, have contributed to significant improvements in the security of our area.
“However, despite our unwavering commitment to promoting peace, we are now witnessing the violation of the rights of one of our key members.
The statement said that the arrest of Mr. Salem Mela is not only a great concerned, but even more alarming that the detention of his pregnant wife and their six children.
“While we understand the role of security agencies in maintaining law and order, the arrest of innocent family members who have no involvement in any alleged activities is completely unjustifiable and goes against the principles of justice and human rights.
“We demand the immediate release of Mr. Mela’s wife and children, while any interrogation of Mr. Mela continues in accordance with the law.
“The ongoing detention of a pregnant woman and young children is not only inhumane but also an infringement upon their fundamental rights.
“The family deserves to be informed of their whereabouts and well-being, and they should not be subjected to further hardship.
“We call on the relevant authorities to act swiftly in rectifying this situation.
“The Peace Committee of Chanchanji Ward remains committed to its mission of promoting peace, and we urge all stakeholders to uphold the values of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights in all actions – the statement concluded.