The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has alleged that the Nigerian government killed one of the October 1, 2010 bomb blast suspects, Francis Osuwo, for not implicating Henry Okah.
Osuwo, his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, said yesterday, died in circumstances that are suspicious.
MEND, in a statement today by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the news of Osuwo’s death did not come as a surprise.
MEND, which claimed responsibility for the October 1, 2010 bomb blast, said that the government was deliberate in the decision to eliminate Osuwo, hence his exposure to dangerous substances.
Gbomo added in the statement: “For refusing to cooperate with two Nigerian government informants, Raphael Damfebo, an employee of Agip and Mr. Emmanuel Allison, an employee of Daewoo, Yenagoa, in testifying falsely against Henry Okah, Osuwo was arrested and accused of complicity in the MEND bombing of 1 October, 2010.
“Francis Osuwo and all other detainees in SSS custody wrongly arrested in connection with our October 2010 attack on Eagle Square, Abuja, have been held under the most appalling conditions and exposed to toxic fumes in their cells.
“Francis Osuwo died as a result of such exposure and neglect by his jailors.
“His body was smuggled out of Kuje Prison, Abuja, yesterday, March 3, 2012, to an unknown destination, shortly before midnight.”