The Nigerian Police has invaded the premises of Premium Times, an online media outfit, and arrested the Publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi along with another journalist.
The police, during the raid, said they were acting based on a petition issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
When contacted, Premium Times said that the arrest was not unconnected to three reports the medium outfit wrote which relate to the Army.
According to the Premium Times personnel, the three reports may have been:
- COAS Buratai and his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
- A Pastor murdered by the Army in Rivers State, and,
- The missing soldiers presumably cornered and killed by Boko Haram terrorists.
This is the second arrest to be meted out on a media publisher, the first being the case involving Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters.
According to a Premium Times report, plain-clothed officers conducted search at the office shortly after 5p.m. Thursday, and said they were acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
The arrests came days after the media turned down the army’s demand to retract news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations.
The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemning the raid said:
“They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate Premium Times.
“They should know that our loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.”
He said the paper will continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility and patriotism, even at great risk to our personal liberties”
With the constant arrests and harassment of journalists and other people who say criticize the military in Nigeria all the time, one may ask and wonder…who is ruling Nigeria, democracy and the president or the military? When will these military “boys” understand the tenets of democracy?
Cash Ezimako