The Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Tuesday freed police officer Alou Abik Abik who was arrested on 23 August for criticizing State governor Tong Akeen Ngor.
Abik is said to have been criticizing the state government and Governor Akeen in social media forums and at public gatherings, according to his police colleagues.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday afternoon, Abik’s sister-in-law, Adual Deng, said she was happy that he had been released from custody.
“Of course, I am so happy because I was among the people who have been suffering by visiting him at least three times a day since his arrest,” Adual said. “But as he was freed yesterday (Tuesday), even though the authorities didn’t clarify whether the case ended or not, I am still happy because he is released and I don’t have many worries like before.”
The executive director of Aweil Community Based Organizations Forum (ACBOF), Santino Deng Ngong, welcomed the release of the policeman and called for rule of law to prevail in all situations.
“As a civil society representative in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, I am happy to learn that the police officer has been released. It is a good time for taking the rule of law into account in a way that if someone went wrong, he must be brought to book after all the necessary investigations are made then the law will apply on him/her,” Deng said.
The state and police authorities prohibited the freed police officer from speaking to the media.