Ahmed Salkida, the journalist who was declared wanted along with two others – Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil – by the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram’s latest video, was yesterday arrested by the security operatives.
Salkida, who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard Emirates flight EK 785, was said to have been arrested from the door of the aircraft.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that following a conversation between him and a passenger on-board the flight, Salkida had said he knew he would be arrested because he had been declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS)
“I recognised the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight,” said the passenger who sat next to him during the journey.
She said Salkida told her that he was expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He expressed fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial.
He also said he didn’t know the whereabouts of the missing Chibok girls as claimed by the Nigerian army.
However, he admitted to receiving two video clips from Boko Haram before they were released to the public.
He said Boko Haram had confidence in his objectivity as an investigative journalist, having previously interviewed Mohammed Yusuf, the founding leader of Boko Haram.
Barely a day after being declared wanted by the Federal Government for alleged association with Boko Haram terrorists, Salkida had said he should be commended for making sacrifice to free the Chibok girls rather than being labelled an accomplice. (NAN)