Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) have reportedly arrested the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
His Special Adviser, Mr. Nwokoma Okorie, said the Senator was picked up on Friday morning at his barber’s shop in the Apo area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Abaribe has been under the watchful eyes of the DSS since he stood surety for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has not been seen since the Nigerian Army invaded his family home at Umuahia, Abia State, last year.
Abaribe is due to appear on June 26 before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja to explain the whereabouts of the IPOB leader.
Members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), have condemned the arrest of the Senator.
The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure immediate release of Abaribe and that failure to do so, it would force Ndigbo to defend themselves.
The national leader of the group, Comrade Uchenna Madu made this known in a statement issued in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
He said: “MASSOB condemns the arrest and subsequent detention of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by agents of DSS. We know that his humiliating arrest was because of signing the bail bond of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his eloquence in defending the cause and interest of Ndigbo and Christians in general.
“The insensitive arrest of the Igbo senator has proven the frustration and jittery of president Muhammadu Buhari against the reawakening of political consciousness of the people of eastern, western and middle belt regions.
“President Buhari has proven his pathological hatred and envy against the Biafrans, his sense of reasoning has been clouded with nepotism and religious hatred against the Igbo Biafrans and Christians in general.
“The people of Biafra can never be intimidated, cowed or subjected because of this exhibition of sheer jealousy and envious display against the Biafrans. Our people are jealously proud of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ike Ekweremadu, Victor Umeh and others.
“MASSOB warns that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe should be released now or Ndigbo will showcase our capabilities in shaking the foundation of this geographical expression called Nigeria.
“Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe will be honoured for his consistency and eloquence in condemning the unconstitutional and illegalities of President Buhari,” he stated