By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Press Release
Deteriorating Health Condition Of Mr. Agba Jalingo And The Need To Redeploy CP, Austin Agbonlahor.
The Association of Cross River Online Journalists – ACROJ, notes with dismay the continuous unlawful detention of the Publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Agba Jalingo for about eight (8) days now and counting.
As the world marks the International Day for the Disappeared, we want to draw the attention of all Nigerians and indeed the whole world to the increasing hostility towards journalists and critics of Government in Cross River State.
Today, Journalists and critics of Government have become endangered. Cross River State has taken a huge leap backwards in terms of the protection of journalists.
The flagrant disregard to the constitution and rights of Nigerians by the Nigerian Police, especially, the Cross River State command which is supposed to protect and uphold the integrity of our constitution and the right of journalists; but, have rather taken the opposite seat posses a great concern which must not be overlooked.
The Cross River State Commissioner of Police has continued to disregard the constitution via the unlawful continuous detention of Mr. Jalingo.
We are concerned about the deteriorating health condition of Mr. Agba Jalingo. His hands and legs are swollen most likely due to handcuffs and restraints as well as his loss of appetite.
Access to him has been largely controlled, while the few who have seen him have expressed concern for the need for him to have immediate access to health care.
We call on the Inspector General of Police – IGP to urgently redeploy the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor from the State and immediately set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the several complains of human rights abuse under his watch.
We therefore once again call for immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Agba Jalingo.
The world is watching.
Sign:
Edem Darlington,
Chairman, Association of Cross River Online Journalists (ACROJ)
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