Men of the State Security Service (SSS) on Monday arrested and temporarily detained former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, seizing her passport and other travelling documents.
Ezekwesili, a former Vice President of the World Bank (Africa Division), was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on her way to London for an appearance on Hard Talk, a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) programme.
No reason was given for the arrest, but it is believed that she must have been harassed for her criticisms against the government as well as her role in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign aimed at forcing the government to act on the case of the more than 200 girls abducted from Chibok, Borno state almost 100 days ago.
However she was later freed, her documents handed over to her just few minutes before her flight was due to depart.
“On my way to London this morning for my @BBCHARDtalk appearance billed for tomorrow and the SSS has detained me by withholding my passport,” Ezekwesili tweeted, confirming the incidence just before departure.
“Is this democracy? I am being detained by the SSS @ Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The SSS has refused to give my passport to me.
“No one can seize my democratic rights. I refused to let the SSS get away with trampling on my constitutional right.”
She later tweeted that the “SSS has released it” and that she just barely made the British Airways flight as she was the last to board at 7.55am for an 8am flight.
