“My life is in danger”, Mailafia cries out following third DSS invitation

TRACKING___Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, has cried out for the public’s solidarity, saying his life is in danger.Dr. Mailafia’s alarm comes in the wake of a third invitation extended to him by the Department of State Services (DSS), with the last 5 weeks.In a statement in Jos on Friday, Mailafia said the unceasing DSS invitations is a political persecution against him, urging well-meaning Nigerians to pray for his safety.Recall that the former CBN deputy governor has been in the cross-hairs of the Department of State Services following his comments during an interview with Lagos based radio station, Nigeria Info, where he alleged that an unnamed northern governor is masterminding the wave of killings and banditry in northern Nigeria.He was consequently invited by the DSS Headquarters in Jos where he was grilled for about seven hours.In a concomitant development, The National Broadcasting Commission had slammed a N5m fine on Nigeria Info for providing the platform for Mailafia to air what was viewed as comments capable of inciting public disorder.Less than three weeks later the DSS extended another invitation to Mailafia, after which he resigned his position at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS.In the wake of a third invitation, the former CBN number two man has now released a statement, crying foul and asking well-meaning Nigerians to involve him in their prayers.He said, “Dear Comrades, Beloved Brethren, I have once again (for the 3rd time) been ordered to appear before the DSS at their Jos HQ this coming Monday 14th September, at 11.00 am.“This is in addition to our battle in court, as my lawyer appears before a Jos High Court today Friday the 11th, seeking a restraining order against the DIG Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who are also pursuing me.“I spent over 20 years of my working life abroad as a university teacher, banker and international civil servant with unblemished record.“I have no criminal record — not even a parking ticket. Sadly, it is in my own fatherland that I’m being subjected to criminal investigation and such extreme political persecution.“Please, pray for me. I have reasons to believe that my life is in danger and that some powerful political forces want to silence me forever. For speaking the truth.“For speaking on behalf of the holy martyrs — of thousands of innocent children, women, elderly and youths that have been killed in our beloved country. It is only in our benighted country that a man who speaks from his conscience can be hounded like a common criminal.“Please, those of you in the Jos area or who can easily travel to Jos, please kindly mobilise and be there en masse to support me on Monday at 11.00 am as I go once again into the Lions’ Den. I’m a believer in nonviolence. Please, no-one should throw even a little stone on my behalf. Let us become candles of light and peace in this Age of Darkness. Thank you so immensely and may God bless you alI.”