A youth leader from Rivers State, Comrade ThankGod Dumbari John, has reportedly been held without trial for over five years in a military facility located in Zamfara State, Chronicles Reporters has learned.
John, a native of Iuubara in Bori Ogoni but born and raised in Panya Community, Agbeta Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area, has allegedly suffered severe violations of his fundamental rights following what he describes as politically motivated persecution.
According to available accounts, John’s ordeal began in 2015 after he was repeatedly accused of cultism and kidnapping. He claims these allegations were orchestrated by a police officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Godwin Nwiko, along with others including Africa Nwiko, Lekara Mbara, Kingsley Ifaade, and Barisi Piadogo — all of whom John identifies as his political rivals.
Between 2015 and 2019, John was arrested multiple times, with no solid evidence ever presented against him. Despite the issuance of questionable court orders, he was kept behind bars on charges that never led to a formal trial.
In a memo shared with Chronicles Reporters, John disclosed that he was eventually arrested by the Nigerian military and transferred to a secret detention facility in Zamfara, where he has been held ever since.
“I’ve suffered in the hands of these individuals and narrowly escaped death during several illegal arrests. My only crime was being elected Youth President of Panya Community,” he lamented.
John, a father of three, expressed concerns that his persecutors wanted to push him into committing suicide. He believes that the long-term plan was either to have him eliminated or to brand him falsely as a criminal in order to justify extrajudicial execution by security agents.
“They want me to take my own life. I need a full investigation. My reputation has been damaged beyond repair. I need justice,” he appealed.
He is urging the relevant authorities and community members who know his background to speak up and help prove his innocence.
“I call on Agbeta I, Agbeta II, and Ogale Eleme to publicly declare whether I am truly guilty of the claims made by Kingsley Ifaade and Lekara Mbara,” he said.
In the three-page memo, John explained that he is a law-abiding citizen, married to Peace ThankGod Dumbari John, who hails from Bera in Gokana and was also raised in Panya Community. He provided a detailed account of his arrest history and the multiple police stations where he was detained, which include Eleme Divisional Police Station, State CID Port Harcourt, Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism units, and others.
John said the constant arrests were aimed at discrediting him with allegations of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and even rape — none of which were ever substantiated in any court of law.
“These individuals used law enforcement and soldiers to harass me every year. My properties were seized illegally. All this began when I was elected Youth President of Panya Community and was officially installed by the paramount ruler of Agbeta Ebubu, HRH Emere Columbus O. Okazu (JP), along with other community leaders.”
John noted that he had succeeded the late Nbari Nna and that after Nna’s death, Godwin and Africa Nwiko installed their own loyalists, including Lekara Mbara and Kingsley Ifaade, to control the community.
Recounting a particularly brutal incident on September 6, 2019, John said he was arrested by police from Oyigbo Division based on claims he had kidnapped Kingsley Ifaade. He was allegedly instructed to be shot on sight. Though he survived, he was detained at the anti-cultism unit in Port Harcourt and subjected to severe torture for three weeks. Despite demanding to be taken to court, his request was ignored.
His bishop and church elders reportedly intervened and pushed for a proper investigation. However, when the accusers were summoned, they disappeared for three months. On November 25, 2019, they returned with soldiers under Operation Crocodile Smile and a fresh detention order from a magistrate court.
John said, “They picked me up again, beat me mercilessly, and took me to Eleme Police Station. The following day, instead of taking me to court, they diverted to the Central Police Station, where I met ASP Godwin Nwiko, who personally ordered my detention. I was locked up there for over three weeks without due process.”
Throughout his detention, John maintained his innocence, denying involvement in cultism, kidnapping, or any criminal activities. He emphasized that he never jumped bail or resisted arrest.
“My enemies want me dead. They’ve ruined my family and reputation. All I seek is an impartial investigation and a chance to clear my name.”
John concluded by quoting Isaiah 5:20: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness…”
His situation sheds light on broader concerns about systemic abuse within Nigeria’s security forces, the need for justice sector reforms, and the importance of protecting the rights of citizens, particularly those subjected to politically motivated persecution.
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