His phone number is not connecting and his whereabouts still remain unknown.
The Coalition of Civil Society Networks has expressed worry over the whereabouts of a Nigeria International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) commissioner, Dr Adejare Adegbenro, after he honoured an invitation sent to him by the Nigeria Police Force.
The coalition in a press statement on Thursday in conjunction with the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said Adegbenro on Friday 26th April 2024 showed up at the Nigeria Police Force after a petition was written against him and since then his whereabouts had been unknown by his family and close allies.
The statement reads: “The Coalition of Civil Society Networks (CCSN) in conjunction with the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) wishes to issue out a public query as to the whereabouts of Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro who at the point of this query is the High commissioner in Nigeria International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) - IHRC Commissioners (ihrchq.org), International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) a transnational intergovernmental organisation based in Zurich, Switzerland, with a Foreign Special Mission Office (FSMO) in Nigeria with mandate on preventing illegal migration and human trafficking and promoting human rights and security in Nigeria.
"Adegbenro is the Acting Director General of NATCOM, a civil donor security intelligence organisation helping the Nigerian government and ECOWAS in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“We are very much aware of his ongoing efforts in advocating for the establishment of a national commission for the control of proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons to curb insecurity and promote youth employment in Nigeria and how he has singlehandedly made a significant impact in securing a legal backing and legitimacy for the organisation.
“We are also aware of his new appointment as a professional member of the European Police Federation popularly known as EuroPolice and his plans to connect the Nigeria National Security with the EuroPolice Federation for effective collaboration in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria and enhancing transnational policing between Nigeria and other international security organizations.
“We gathered from the management of NATCOM that he was called by men of Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) of the Nigeria Police Force to answer a petition on him which he honoured the invitation on Friday 26th April 2024 and since then his family and close associates never heard from him and never set their eyes on him. There is no official statement regarding his whereabouts, his 'arrest or 'detention' or any petition on him by the Nigeria Police.
“Some sources said he was released on Monday 29th April 2024 but we confirmed that was not true. His phone number is not connecting and his whereabouts still remain unknown.
“It is unimaginable that Adegbenro an active Special Emissary (SE) of the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) and a security expert with impeccable track record in private/public service and commitment to the welfare of Nigeria will be subjected to such an unlawful treatment in his home country under the administration of a president who does not only know him but knows his family's tremendous contribution to democracy in Nigeria.
“Based on Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), article 22, article 29, article 30, and article 31 of which Nigeria is signatory to, we call on the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun for the release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro from wherever he is being detained for transparency and adherence to due process in all legal matters.
“We demand for transparency and urge authorities to provide clarity on his current whereabouts and legal status, emphasising the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law.
“While appealing to the President of Nigeria to intervene in the matter, we had like to stress the need for a thorough investigation into the false allegations and the circumstances surrounding Adejare Adegbenro's situation. There is an absolute need for justice and accountability in the face of adversity.”