Peoples’ Gazette
Priye Amachree, a filmmaker who was arrested by the State Security Services (SSS) for alleged links to arrested but later released Israeli filmmakers has been prevented from seeing his family members, two weeks after his arrest, Peoples Gazette can report.
Mr Amachree, a film director and cinematographer, was arrested for his purported connection to three Israeli filmmakers who were also arrested by the SSS for suspected connection with outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, per Sahara Reporters
Younger brother to the arrested filmmaker, Tubonimi Amachree, Thursday afternoon confirmed to The Gazette that his brother was arrested by the SSS on July 28, 2021, at about 4:30 p.m. in his lounge, close to his residence in CMD Road of Ikosi Magodo in Lagos.
“We only got to know about this through his friend who was with him as of the time of arrest,” his brother said, adding that “after much investigation, we found out he was taken to Abuja.”
Mr Tubonimi told The Gazette he traveled to Abuja upon getting the information of his eldest brother’s arrest but was denied access by the SSS.
His words: “I stayed there in Abuja for one week and was going to their office to see my brother but they refused to let me see him.
“I even went with a lawyer yet they refused and demanded I write a letter to the director of SSS, requesting to see my brother which they say would take two weeks before my letter will be responded to.”
A copy of the letter addressed to the SSS director-general signed by Mr Tubonimi as seen by The Gazette revealed the letter was received by an SSS official simply identified as Mrs Sarah on August 4.
The letter appealed to the SSS boss to grant the family permission to see their son.
The lett…