By Alltimepost.com
A coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organizations have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained human rights activists, Marxist Kola Edokpayi and Comrade Hadson Orako by the Nigerian secret Police, known as the Department of State Service (DSS).
The activists were preparing to stage a solidarity protest in support of Captain Ibrahim Traore, the President of Burkina Faso, and against imperialism and neo-colonialism when they were arrested on April 30, 2025.
According to sources, the DSS operatives invaded Edokpayi’s office, ransacked it, and arrested them. The action was reportedly taken despite the fact that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, had already met with Edokpayi and his team the previous day, and the planned protest was called off.
Following the arrest and detention, representatives of the Civil Society community in Edo State, on May 1, 2025, met with the State Director of DSS, during which time the detention of the activists was addressed in a discussion and the Director assured that they would be released unconditionally on or before Friday, May 2, 2025.
However, the DSS Director reneged in his promise as the activists remain detained.
Their continued detention prompted further action of the Civil Society, which included a letter of appeal to the DSS Director on May 3, 2025, jointly signed by the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor and Legal Adviser, Barr Abraham Oviawe.
In the letter, they reminded the DSS Director of his unfulfilled promise to release the detained activist when they met with him on May 1, 2025.
The continued detention of the activists, they said had given rise to growing concern within “our community, especially as it appears the continued detention may exceed the period permissible under the law.”
They revisited the understanding reached at the previous meeting regarding the reason for the arrest, which according to them were understood to have been amicably addressed by the Edo State Police Commissioner which resulted in the suspension of the solidarity protest initially planned in good faith in anticipation of their release.
They called for an update on the status of Mr. Edokpayi and Mr. Orako, including confirmation of any transfer, as is being speculated in some quarters and facilitate their access to legal representation and family visits in accordance with their constitutional rights “and our shared commitment to justice and fairness.”
Alltimepost.com learnt that Concerns are growing over Edokpayi’s welfare, as he has been denied access to food, water, and visitors since his arrest. His wife was reportedly turned away when she attempted to visit him, and there are fears that he may have been transferred to Abuja to face treason charges.
The planned protest, which was meant to highlight the dangers of imperialism and neo-colonialism, was peaceful and did not pose any threat to national security. The DSS’s actions have sparked outrage and raised questions about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Below is the full text of the letter as it was made available to Alltimepost.com:
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