Taraba: Concerns mounts over arrest of peace committee chairman, wife, children

Members of the Peace Committee in Chanchanji community of Takum Local Government Council of Taraba State have expressed concern over the recent arrest of its chairman, Salem Mela and his family members.

Mela, his wife, and his six children were reported to have been arrested in the early hours of Thursday by men suspected to be from the Department of State Services (DSS).

Condemning the arrest, the committee, in a release made available to journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, on Thursday, demanded the immediate release of Mela’s wife and children.

The release, which was signed by the committee’s Secretary, Solomon John Kulenkwagh, also called on the relevant authorities to, as a matter of urgency, wade in by ensuring the immediate release of its chairman and his family members.

“We demand the immediate release of Mr Mela’s wife and children, while any interrogation of Mr Mela continues in accordance with the law.

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“The ongoing detention of a pregnant woman and young children is not only inhumane but also an infringement upon their fundamental rights. The family deserves to be informed of their whereabouts and well-being, and they should not be subjected to further hardship.

“We call on the relevant authorities to act swiftly in rectifying this situation. The Peace Committee of Chanchanji Ward remains committed to its mission of promoting peace, and we urge all stakeholders to uphold the values of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights in all actions,” the statement read.

“Despite our unwavering commitment to promoting peace, we are now witnessing the violation of the rights of one of our key members.

“The arrest of Mr. Salem Mela is concerning, but even more alarming is the detention of his pregnant wife and their six children.

“While we understand the role of security agencies in maintaining law and order, the arrest of innocent family members who have no involvement in any alleged activities is completely unjustifiable and goes against the principles of justice and human rights,” the committee .