By Darlington UDOBONG
Family of retired Captain Iniobong Ekong has condemned the illegal abduction, detention and incarceration of their father and breadwinner by the Major General Jamil Sarham-led 6-Division of the Nigerian Army.
Briefing journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, the family spokesperson, Abasiekong Ekong, said they “are highly distressed about his whereabouts since 22nd February 2019,” adding that the retired Captain was “purportedly invited to Port Harcourt by the GOC of 6-Division on a petition allegedly written by Senator Godswill Akpabio against him.”
The family spokesperson said Captain Ekong, a Senior Special Assistan to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Security Matters, has “served the state faithfully in his capacity with intense passion for truth and justice upholding all his actions and duty within the ambits of the law and principle of equity and love for the progress and development of Akwa Ibom State.”
The family further called President Muhammadu Buhari, the Acting Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, Amnesty International, Constitutional Rights Project, Nigerian Centre for Human Rights and Development and other related institutions to assist in upholding the fundamental human rights of their son, Captain Ekong.
“We hereby call on the authorities concerned to address this matter and effect the immediate and unconditional release of Captain Iniobong Ekong and Hon. Iniobong Edem, a serving Councillor in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, who was last seen with him on the same date,” the stressed.
“We are sure his state of health. He has been held illegally by the military. We are seeking justice for the abuse of his fundamental human rights. If anyone has any issue with Captain Iniobong Ekong, such a person should seek legal measure not abuse of his fundamental rights,” they said.
