“They threatened to shoot me”: Governor Nyesom Wike Reportedly Foiled an Attempt By The Police & DSS to Abduct a Federal High Court Judge in Rivers

There was tension in Rivers State as scores of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and policemen allegedly attempted to abduct a Federal High Court judge residing at Number 35, Forces Avenue in Port Harcourt in the early hours of Saturday.

It was gathered that the security operatives had stormed the residence to arrest the judge.

It was gathered that the state governor, Nyesom Wike, who rushed to the scene was harassed by the operatives.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, who said the incident occurred at about 1AM, added that Wike was pushed around by the DSS and policemen.

“The illegal failed abduction was led by Tosin Ajayi, Rivers State Director of the Department of State Services and Rivers State Police Commissioner, Francis Odesanya.

The operatives of DSS reportedly rough-handled Governor Wike, pushing him around and injuring his hand. A few of the operatives cocked their rifles and threatened to shoot the Governor.

They were irked by Governor Wike’s arrival at the scene shortly after the failed abduction process began. It was learnt that Governor Wike received security information on the illegal moves, minutes after the operation started.

The security operatives blocked the entrance of the residence of the Federal High Court judge at about 1am on Saturday morning, claiming that they were acting on orders from above. As they dragged Governor Wike, they insisted that they must be allowed to leave with the judge,” Nwakaudu was quoted as saying.

According to THISDAY, the Rivers State Director of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi jumped into his vehicle and fled the scene after journalists arrived at the venue.

Rivers State Police Commissioner, Francis Odesanya who addressed journalists said the two security agencies were at the scene because they received privileged information.

Odesanya claimed he was at the scene as a peace maker. He declined comments on why the Police joined the DSS to abduct a serving Federal High Court judge.

THISDAY also quoted the governor as saying that the security operatives threatened to shoot him

“Not under my watch will I allow this kind of impunity to take place. That is why we are here. I don’t know which judge they were detailed to abduct. I didn’t bother myself to know which judge. All I am interested in is that, at this level, it is not allowed.

He is not a criminal and he is not an armed robber. If the person has committed an offence, invite him. It is only when he refuses to honour the invitation that you can adopt this commando style.

The Commissioner of Police is here, the Director of DSS is here. Their operatives cocked their guns and threatened to shoot me. I have never seen that before. Again , this is to tell you what we are facing. We know that more will come. For us in this state, we shall continue to resist it.

It doesn’t matter what it will cost. When you talk about liberty, sacrifices must be made. We are not trying to stop an arrest. All we are saying is that things must be done decently and in line with the rule of law.

Rivers State is under siege. For you to see a governor out at this time of the day, something is wrong. A siege is an understatement. If this type of thing happens next time, the people will resist it to the last.

They are trying to do something funny in this state, probably to declare a state of emergency,” Wike said.

This is coming after the governor held a closed door meeting with President Buhari on Friday at the Presidential Villa.

Photo Credit: NAIJ.com