Family, Groups Beg DSS To Release Detained Stowaway Teenager

The family of the stowaway teenage boy, Daniel Oikhena, who is still being detained by the Department of State Security Services, DSS, in Lagos, has appealed for his release, saying he was only an innocent boy who tried to pursue his dreams and not a criminal.

Younger brother of the teenage boy, Desmond Oikhena, who made the appeal, said the family was shocked that their Daniel was still being detained by the DSS, explaining that the stowaway is only a young boy who did not even know what he did and not a criminal.

“My brother learnt what he did through films, he watched films a lot and that was why he had problem with my elder sister the night to that his action at the airport.

“We are missing him a lot; we are appealing that he should be released so that he can come and prepare for the coming new school session.

“My brother is not a criminal. He is just a quiet young man who was pursuing his dream of going to America. We thank God he survived the incident so they should allow him come home so that he can go to the hospital for proper medical check up,” Desmond said.

A rights group, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, has also called on the DSS to release the 13-year-old boy to reunite with his family.

The group in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Oghenajabor Ikimi, in Warri weekend, said: “We believe that rather than crucify the above adventurous and courageous teenager, all hands must be on deck to secure his future educationally so that he can achieve his dream of travelling by air legitimately.”

In the same vein, a volunteer group, De Raufs, after offering the boy scholarship to help him achieve his dreams, has also concluded plans to dispatch a team of lawyers to secure the release of the teenage boy.

Coordinator of the group, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, said the team of lawyers from Osun State, which would be led by Mr. Yinka Muyiwa, will team up with the Lagos coordinator of the group to secure the boy’s release.

While condemning the continued detention of the boy in Lagos, Comrade Shittu, who reiterated the earlier resolve of the group to award the stowaway teenager scholarship up to university level, queried the continued detention of the boy by the DSS, saying airport officials in Benin were to blame for the security lapses at Benin Airport and not the teenager.