Ezekwesili arrested by security agents, released

Former Minister of Education and the Coordinator of BringBackOurGirls campaign group, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, was yesterday arrested and detained by security operatives at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport as she was about to board an early morning flight to London.N10.6trn controversy: Oby Ezekwesili

N10.6trn controversy: Oby EzekwesiliobyHer travelling documents were also confiscated.She was, however, released later after government came under intense pressure as news of her arrest flooded the social media when she posted tweets of her predicament.In her tweets following her arrest, she said: “On my way to London this morning for my BBC Hardtalk appearance billed for tomorrow, Department of State Services, DSS, has detained me by withholding my passport.“Is this a democracy? I am being detained by the DSS at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. DSS has refused to give my passport to me. My passport was seized at the departure desk. I asked for explanation and was told ‘we act acting under instruction’.“I advise the DG of DSS, whom I knew as a gentleman officer when I was in government, to honestly scrutinise his team of three that withheld my passport. DSS should check its records and present it to public.“It will show that way before Chibok girls, I had been a frequent traveler and never before detained. They cannot break me in Jesus name. For as long as our Chibokgirls are not rescued, I shall stay standing for their cause with all people of goodwill.”ReleasedAfter she was released and allowed to travel, she posted another tweet, saying “DSS has released it. I just barely made the BA flight. Last to board at 7.55 for an 8a.m. flight that is now taxiing. Is this a democracy?“Thanks to all who spoke up against the repressive act of DSS against me this morning. You will always find help in your time of need in Jesus name.“Safe touchdown at Heathrow Airport. Praise God! Thanks also to British Airways for waiting for me and then upgrading me on this flight. No one can seize my democratic rights. I refused to let the DSS get away with trampling on my constitutional rights.”However, when contacted, the spokeswoman for the DSS, Marilyn Oga said: “If we are doing a routine job, does that mean that we detained her?“Oby Ezekwesili is a free citizen of this country and has been coming and going as she pleased.”The former minister, who is one of the coordinators of the BringBackOurGirls campaign group, has been consistently putting pressure on the Nigerian government to act more decisively in rescuing the over 250 schoolgirls abducted from their dormitory by the extremist Boko Haram sect over three months ago.Meanwhile, a group, Movement for Democratic Sustainability, MDS, has said for the war against terrorism to succeed, Nigerians irrespective of their political or religious inclinations should unite behind President Goodluck Jonathan, since only a united and strong people can battle and win terror.The group spoke in a statement by its Head Media and Publicity, Afam Iheana-cho, to mark the 100 days of the abduction of about 276 girls from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.It said: “We share the agony of the parents of those girls. Every day we join them in prayers.“We remain strong in our belief that very soon those girls will be re united with their families.”