Get Guardian on GoogleThe Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunde Disu, to order an immediate review of the continued detention of four men linked to the MT THOR vessel and investigate allegations of abuse of power and disregard for court orders against a senior police officer.
The association said the plight of the four men, who have reportedly remained in detention since December 2025, raises serious concerns about prolonged incarceration, respect for fundamental human rights and the obligation of security agencies to obey judicial directives.
HURIWA challenged Disu to emulate the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, whose reported interventions in cases of wrongful detention and operational excesses demonstrate the importance of accountability in security institutions.
It cited the DSS chief’s recent decision to release four men arrested over alleged links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and approve N20 million compensation for them after investigations reportedly established that they had been misled into believing they would receive monthly payments of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
The four men, Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry, were arrested in Bayelsa State in May 2022. Each was approved to receive N5 million in compensation.
HURIWA described the intervention as an example of how security agencies could acknowledge mistakes, correct injustices and restore public confidence, stressing that national security must never become a justification for the arbitrary detention of citizens.
It urged the police chief to demonstrate the same commitment in the case of the four MT THOR detainees.
The call followed a petition dated October 26, 2026, submitted to the IGP by lawyers P. O. Onucheyo and S. D. Omẹde, who represent interests connected to the vessel.
The petition concerns Ebor Eric Kessiena, John Atawo Lawrence, Godwin Okpaje and Mukaila Sarumi, who were reportedly arrested on December 15, 2025, following the interception of the MT THOR vessel at Koko, Warri, Delta State.
According to the lawyers, the vessel was being towed under Marine Police escort to the Warri jetty and was reportedly within the custody and control of the Admiralty Marshal pursuant to proceedings before the Federal High Court when the four men were arrested.
They maintained that their clients were merely carrying out the task of pumping water from the vessel’s engine room to prevent flooding and possible sinking when they were apprehended.
The lawyers questioned the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s interception and the subsequent arrest of the men, who were accused of involvement in illegal petroleum dealings and crude oil theft.
They further alleged that the four men had remained at the Okere Correctional Centre, Warri, despite concerns about the legal basis for their continued detention.
The lawyers called for an independent investigation into the arrest and continued detention of their clients, including the evidence relied upon by the police, the circumstances of the vessel’s interception, the men’s alleged responsibility for dewatering the vessel and the handling of relevant court and Marine Police records.
HURIWA said the allegations warranted urgent attention from the IGP, particularly because they raised questions about the protection of citizens against arbitrary detention, the independence of police investigations and respect for judicial authority.
