Suswam: Outcry over arrest of ex-Benue governor by DSS

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday reacted to the arrest of former Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam over insecurity in the state.

Benue State has been a flashpoint of violence, following the persistent crisis between herdsmen and farmers.

Suswam was reportedly arrested by Department of State Services, DSS, over his alleged connection with crisis.

Reacting, PDP said Suswam’s arrest was part of Federal Government’s plot to silence “dissenting voice.”

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said, “The wicked clampdown has started. Only yesterday, we were made aware of the arrest and detention of former Benue State governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswam, who has been kept incommunicado without access to his lawyers, while the Federal Government is not forthcoming with the details of the reasons behind the arrest and detention.

“However, we know that his arrest and detention is intended to put him out of circulation so that he will not take part in the mega-meetings of our party planned for the North Central states.

“There are already fears that other opposition leaders and dissenting voices have been placed under watch and will be dragged in and framed up on security charges, so as to keep them out of circulation ahead of the elections.”