The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has demanded the immediate release of one of its chieftains and member of Bera Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Baribor Kumanwee.

The party said this morning that the popular Ogoni chief is being kept incommunicado after being arrested by the police in Bori based at the instigation of the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Information available to us indicates that Chief Kumanwee was arrested on Sunday, 29th March, 2015 after being beaten by a PDP chieftain, Mr. Dumbari Dimkpa, assisted by his brother, Mr. Promise Dimkpa, and their thugs to state of stupor. If not for divine intervention, Chief Kumanwee would have lost his life in the process. His only offence is that he is an ally of Senator Magnus Abe. The innocent man is being tortured in a bid to force him to make a confessional statement to implicate Senator Abe in the recent destruction of properties in Bori,” Rivers APC said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

Dr. Ikanya disclosed that Chief Kumanwee is currently seriously sick in the custody of the State Security Investigation Bureau (SSIB) and may die if his unwarranted ordeal is not cut short.

“We will not fold our hands and allow this innocent man to die like other APC chieftains that died while being detained for political reasons. Chief Kumanwee’s arrest is political aimed at bringing the reputation of Senator Abe into disrepute. We therefore ask for his immediate release,” Rivers APC said.

It exonerated Senator Abe, describing him as a man of peace who cannot be involved in any act of violence, not to talk about ordering the destruction of anybody’s property. “This current effort to tarnish his image is an effort in futility,” the party stated.

•Photo shows Chief Baribor Kumanwee.