Human rights activist Odey Oyama, along with six others, has been transferred by the Nigerian police from the Ikom Division of the Cross River State Police Command to Calabar, the state capital. The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear over 24 hours after the incident.
Oyama, who is the Executive Director of the Rainforest Resource and Development Center and also chairs the Cross River Anti-Deforestation Committee, was arrested in a surprise operation on Tuesday morning in Okuni, Ikom Local Government Area. Reports from CrossRiverWatch reveal that Oyama’s name was not included in the list of detainees held by the police, leaving his family and supporters in the dark about the reasons for his detention.
A message shared with his family and obtained by CrossRiverWatch read:
“People who have seen him keep saying the police did not list him among their detainees, so no one knows exactly why he was arrested. The police team is currently en route to Calabar with him. Meanwhile, his offence has yet to be disclosed to him, more than 24 hours after his arrest.”
Oyama is known for his vocal criticism of government policies on deforestation in Cross River State. His arrest has sparked concerns about the authorities’ stance on environmental activism and their handling of dissenting voices.
When contacted, the state’s police spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, stated that she had not yet been briefed on the matter, leaving further questions unanswered.
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Chronicles Reporters