SSS Detains Two Employees Of The Northern Political Leaders Forum

SAN FRANCISCO, March 10, (THEWILL) - The State Security Service (SSS) has detained two secretariat staff members of the Northern Leaders Political Forum (NPLF).

Mr. Bello Abdulkadir, Secretary of the NPLF Secretariat and Mr. Farouk Bibi Farouk, a former National Youth Leader were detained following their invitation to the headquarters of the secret police in Abuja. Abdulkadir was detained on Wednesday while Farouk was detained today.

It is still unclear why the men are being held. Attempts to reach SSS spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogah were unsuccessful as at press time.

Their arrest is however coming just as the ‘Consensus Presidential candidate’ of the NPLF, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar returned to Nigeria yesterday after a long break following his defeat at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential primaries.

THEWILL gathered that the leaders of the NPLF met today to take a formal position on whether it would support the Presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Recall President Godluck Jonathan had led a team of PDP leaders to the residence of the leader of the NPLF, Malam Adamu Ciroma on a peace meeting following the group's opposition to his Presidential bid.

The NPLF has condemned the arrest and detention of its staffers saying, “This is in bad faith and tells a lie to President Goodluck Jonathan’s attempt for rapprochement with Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF).”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubabar (R) being received by Chief Ben Obi at the International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday, March 09, 2011.