The Department of Security Services (DSS) has denied arresting popular politician and the National Chairman of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) as reported in some Media platforms on Sunday.
The Public Relations Officer of the Secret police made this known to BusinessDay in a text message, stressing that story is not true. He gave no further details on the matter.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had in an earlier statement on Sunday by its National Chairman, Uche Secondus, condemned the alleged arrest of Galadima and demanded his unconditional release.
“We as a party condemn this arrest in the strongest possible terms. Buba Galadima is a patriot. His patriotism has been previously and strongly highlighted by various Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.
“What crime has he committed? I answer my own question and say none. Mr. Galadima is constitutionally guaranteed a right of freedom of speech and freedom after the speech.
“The nation is currently boiling with the deaths caused by thugs of the All Progressives Congress. Not one of these thugs has been arrested by the DSS. The nation was embarrassed by drone images of bullion vans laden with cash driving into the home of the National Leader of the APC and no action has been taken by the law enforcement authorities. Yet a patriot and pro-democracy activist is arrested.
“We cannot be hoodwinked by the puppeteering of the DSS by the APC. It is obviously no coincidence that the APC Presidential Campaign Council called for the arrest of Mr. Galadima at 12 noon today (Sunday the 24th of February, 2019) and the arrest was duly effected by the DSS an hour later, “the statement said.
Galadima, who has been an outspoken critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, did pick his calls when BusinessDay tried to reach him.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
