(Oby, second from left with other BBOG leaders)
By Danlami Nmodu
Former Minister of Education and one of the leaders of the on-going #BrinBackOurGirls campaign,Dr Oby Ezekwesili was detained Monday Morning at the Abuja Airport as her international passport was seized by officials of the State Security Service,SSS.She was on her way to London to appear on BBCHardtalk programme scheduled for Tuesday.
The ex minister announced her travails on twitter Monday morning when she said “On my way to London this morning for my @BBCHARDtalk appearance billed for TOMORROW and the SSS has DETAINED me by WITHHOLDING my PASSPORT. “
Her detention generated a lot of condemnation on the social media and it is believed the pressure and negative publicity therefrom were responsible for her freedom as her passport was eventually released and she “Just barely made the BA flight. Last to board @ 7.55 for an 8.00 am flight” as Ekwesili also said on twitter.
Announcing her release, Ezekwesili said “SSS has RELEASED IT. Just barely made the BA flight. Last to board @ 7.55 for an 8.00 am flight that is now taxiing. IS THIS A DEMOCRACY?”
The #BringBackOurGirls campaign which she is one of the leaders has faced repeated harassment from government officials and their agents . The group was once attacked at Unity Fountain Abuja by a rival group believed to be sponsored.Next, the FCT Police Commissioner ,Joseph Mbu banned rallies in Abuja,a move targeted at the campaign. But the Inspector General of Police reversed the ban.
Even more ,officials of government accused the #BringBackOurGirls movement of belonging to the opposition an allegation Ezekwesili expressed shock over as she and others insist this is a single issue campaign only about over 200 missing Chibok girls .
Before he detention Monday morning, the SSS had accused the campaign of running a “franchise” and compelling people to wear tags among others.The group equally dismissed these allegations as untrue.
Last week, the presidency blamed the #bringbackourgirls movement for the aborted meeting between the parents of Chibok girls and some of the escapee Chibok school girls,an allegation the group also said was unfounded.
Reacting to the reported detention ,Spokesperson for the Department of State Security Services (SSS) Marilyn Ogar according to a press release by PRNigeria ,expressed bitterness at Dr Oby Ezekwesili for complaining about delay at the airport by SSS operatives Monday morning.
Addressing journalists at the National Information Centre,the SSS spokesperson said ,“Government has asked the SSS to be at the airport. Statutorily, SSS clears all passengers travelling out or coming into this country. I don’t know why some people will sometimes arrogate to themselves unnecessary importance when we have serious security challenges in our hands”.
With reports by PRNigeria
