The Vanguards of Democracy, a pro-democracy activist group, has strongly condemned the arrest and detention, since Wednesday, of critic Stephen Kefas, reportedly at the instance of the Kaduna State Government, and demanded his immediate release.

The group said Thursday in a statement: “Stephen Kefas, a strong voice against the unhindered massacres in Kajuru, was arrested yesterday, 8th of May, 2019 by the Police in Port Harcourt and to be taken to Kaduna.

“Why? Stephen Kefas has been very consistently critical of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallan Nasir Elrufai for the abysmal and lopsided actions skewed against the victims of the Fulani-herds-terrorists attacks.

“Is it that we should all keep mute so that these evil machinations are carried out without anyone speaking up for the murdered, raped and traumatized Kajuru people?

“NEVER!

“It is only human that we raise our voices to ask that Stephen Kefas be released immediately!

“Therefore, we implore people with good conscience to stand up for justice!

“If we keep quiet and say it is not our problem, one of these days, we might regret that action as this government has made it very clear to everyone that we are saddled with a government that is intolerant and allergic to the workings of the rule of law. Simply put, we are steadily descending very fast into a dictatorship!

“#FreeKefasNow!”

Vanguards of Democracy noted that “the government of the day should know that the attempt to gag those that have decided to stand in the gap for the terrorized citizens of Nigeria who are helplessly abandoned to their fate has ALREADY FAILED!”

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