(http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Alhaji-Abdullahi-Mustapha-Berende.jpg) (http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Alhaji-Abdullahi-Mustapha-Berende.jpg)How Ombatse forcibly initiates members — Ekpenyon Ita
By Lambert Tyem, Abuja & Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin
A Federal High Court in the Ilorin, presided over by Justice A. Olayinka Faji, has freed Alhaji Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, who was accused of terrorism by State Security Service (SSS).
The court also fined the SSS the sum of N1.5million in favour of the applicant for damages.
In the suit filed on January 3, 2013, Berende had sought for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights and a declaration that his continuous detention by the SSS is a gross and flagrant violation and infringement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement.
In his ruling, Faji declared that, "the arrest and detention of the applicant without trial since December 17, 2012 under the condition and control and power of the respondent is illegal, baseless and unconstitutional.
"The continuous holding of the applicant in the custody of the State Security Service is a gross and flagrant violation and infringement of the applicant's fundamental human rights to freedom of movement.
"The respondents are also ordered to release the applicant on bail pending his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
"It may be that the respondents are fighting the scourge of terrorism which affects national security but there is however a need to maintain the clear balance between law enforcement and protection of human rights.
"Human rights violations cannot and must not be justified by waving the flag of terrorism.
"After all, the suspects are presumed innocent until the prosecution establishes otherwise.
"In the circumstances, therefore, I award a sum of N1,500,000 in favour of the applicant and against the respondents as damages."
The SSS had on Wednesday February 22, 2013 said in Abuja that it had uncovered a terror network coordinated by Iranians in Lagos.
The SSS said this while parading a leader of an Islamic sect, Abdullahi Berende, and two others said to be operators of the Iranian terror cell gathering information about Israelis and Americans living in Nigeria.
The SSS had paraded Sulaiman Saka and Saheed Adewunmi alongside 50-year-old Berende. The three were said to be working for Iranian terrorists planning to attack Americans and Israelis in the country.
A third suspect, Bunyamin Yusuf, is said to be at large.
Berende who is said to be a leader of the Shi'a Islamic sect in Ilorin, Kwara State, told journalists that he was employed by "people who were ready to capitalise on my weakness," though he denied being part of a terrorist network.
Deputy Director Public Relations, SSS, Marilyn Ogar, told journalists that Berende, an Islamic teacher, and local leader of the Shiite sect, was observed to have made several suspicious trips to and fro Iran where he interacted with some Iranians known to operate a high profile international terrorist network.
Ogar said that in the course of interrogation, Berende confessed that in 2006, he gained admission to do a six-month course in modern Shi'a Islamic teaching (Da'awa) at Imam Khomeini University, Iran.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS) Mr. Ekpeyong Ita, at the weekend during a ceremony in honour of 10 slain operatives revealed how the Ombatse cult in Nasarawa Eggon killed and forcibly initiate innocent citizens.
Ita who described the cult as "unscrupulous and primitive" said the operation which led to the untimely death of many security men was aimed at fulfilling "our sacred mandate, that is, the protection and preservation of our nation which is our collective patrimony."
He said the killers have only succeeded in making their community an "ignoble sepulcher of innocent law enforcement agents", adding that even though the SSS has the spirit, "the wherewithal and that our hearts are cast in iron, we have forgiven you.
"We have obediently handed all of you over to Almighty God since He taught us that vengeance is His."
He said the SSS operatives went to "keep the peace and douse the tension generated in the state by the activities of an unscrupulous group and primitive people."
Ita said that the Ombatse worshippers had on April 2013 at Arugba Isa village in Lafia North district forcibly initiated some members of Izalla Muslims.
"Again on 28 April, 2013, some Christians in three churches in Gidan Gambo village were forcibly initiated.
"Similarly, on 2nd May 2013 at Kayarde village, an attempt by members of the group to initiate some muslims almost led to a violent confrontation."
He added that it was in an attempt to arrest the situation from further deteriorating that law enforcement agents were sent. "From experience, this was the same manner that the Maitatsine sect and Boko Haram terrorists started.
"We have come to terms with the painful reality that you have paid the supreme sacrifice so that Nigerians can live in peace and unity.
"But I want to promise you that you will never die because when you live in the hearts of those who love you, then you are not dead. You will never die because your death has emboldened us, inspired and united us.
"It has motivated and strengthened us and I know more than anyone else that as a member of this family, with your looks, strength, unconditional love and loyalty and by paying the ultimate price, you have given all that a devoted security operative can give to an appreciative Service and a very beloved country.
"You are the virtuous examples of successful patriotism and there is no doubt that history and posterity as the main instructors of future generations would judge you in glowing terms and very generously too.
"For the rest of us here, in this moment of sorrow, adversity and temptation, let us in unison agree not to buckle or be cowed. "Therefore for the sake of our colleagues and the survival of our country, we will never be the ones to raise the white flag. The terrorists, the kidnappers, the bandits will be the ones."
Ten operatives of the Service were killed by suspected cultists in Alakio village of Nasarawa state.
The men had reportedly gone to the area to arrest the Chief Priest of the Ombatse deity. The operation was led by one Mohammed Isah Gobir, who was also killed by the cultists.
Also Speaking at the event, National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki described the current situation as a trying moment for the country.
"These are very difficult times for all of us and it is not a moment of rejoicing. To the other operatives of the Service, use the unfortunate incidence as a motivation.
"We know what we are up against. Everyday you go out might be the last one you see you loved ones but that should not deter you. We must always conduct ourselves very professionally. There deaths will not be in vain", he stated.
While the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, pledged the readiness of the Senate to support the SSS at all times, another Senator, Major-General Mohammed Magoro, said the current wave of attacks on security agents are "indications of what is in the pipeline."
Magoro, said he was aware of the many successful operations of the SSS, attributing the failure of the Alakio operation to betrayal by some security agents.
Also speaking, pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Security Organization (NSO), General Mohammed Abdullahi (rtd) who represented past DGs of the SSS, wondered the continued silence by human rights organizations who have refused to condemn the attacks.
"You know that since the inception of this service, I do not think we have had a tragedy such as this.
"This is very touching. I want to talk about three things: the sorrow, the anger and the hope," he said.
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