A non-governmental organisation concerned about security consciousness, Citizens Initiatives for Security Awareness (CISA), has called for the immediate release of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Dasuki who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan is being held in detention over alleged financial fraud and illegal possession arms.
Although Justice Adetokunbo Ademola and Justice Mohammed of the Federal High Court, as well as Justice Baba Yusuf and Justice Peter Afem of the FCT High Courts, had considered the merit of his applications and granted him bail, the government has refused to let him go.
But addressing a press conference in Abuja, CISA called for his immediate release on the occasion of his second year in detention.
“We the members of CISA have noted with grave concern, the continuous illegal detention of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (Rtd).
”As a matter of fact, Friday, December 29, 2017 will make it exactly two years that he was re-arrested and detained on the orders of the Federal Government and has remained in incarceration since then,” said the Director of Mobilisation of the group, Mr. Ewache Ajefu.
The group posited that the alleged crimes given as reason for his arrest and detention allowed for a bail.
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The group stated further that “As a foremost civil society group that has always stood behind and canvassed public support for the Nigerian government and its military in their fight against terror (even when it was fashionable for some disgruntled politicians to ridicule those efforts), CISA would like to strongly counsel the government against further detention of the erstwhile NSA.”
It added that “Without prejudice to the case in court or the charges against him, CISA recalls that bold initiatives and success stories were also recorded during his tenure as the NSA; these, among others include, the formation of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which helped to muster the support of neighbouring countries in the war on terror; the launching of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) as the Soft Approach to counter violent extremism.
“These bold initiatives which has been sustained till date, are geared towards knowing the root causes of terrorism, understanding the problem of terrorism and finding the appropriate and lasting solution.”
