A reporter with Reuters News Agency, Tife Owolabi, has
been detained and subsequently released by operatives of the Department
of State Security Service in Yenagoa over suspicion of spying.
Tife Owolabi who was taken in for questioning by the Security said his personal computer, tablet device, cameras and external hard drives and memory cards remained in the custody of the DSS.
According to Premium Times, Owolabi who confirmed his release on Monday, February 16, said his detention was related with his work for the foreign media platform.
He said: “They came to my place and searched the apartment and carted away my work tools including my mobile phones and detained me and said that they had suspicion that I was engaged in espionage for foreign concerns.
“I had no fears because I was sure I had not done anything in the discharge of my duties as a journalist. They said I was unpatriotic and held on to my working tools.
Tife Owolabi who was taken in for questioning by the Security said his personal computer, tablet device, cameras and external hard drives and memory cards remained in the custody of the DSS.
According to Premium Times, Owolabi who confirmed his release on Monday, February 16, said his detention was related with his work for the foreign media platform.
He said: “They came to my place and searched the apartment and carted away my work tools including my mobile phones and detained me and said that they had suspicion that I was engaged in espionage for foreign concerns.
“I had no fears because I was sure I had not done anything in the discharge of my duties as a journalist. They said I was unpatriotic and held on to my working tools.
“I am hoping that they will release those items when I return to
their office later today. I express my gratitude to fellow journalists
who stood by me and I guess it is one of the hazards of the job,”
It would be recalled the sometime last year, the Defense Headquarters and the State Security Service clamped down on major Nigerian newspapers in the country seizing and destroying copies of several newspapers. The security operatives were said to be acting on ‘orders from above.’
In the days leading up to the 2015 general elections the Nigerian government has been accused of trying to restrict the international media from covering the polls by refusing to issue visas and accreditation.
It would be recalled the sometime last year, the Defense Headquarters and the State Security Service clamped down on major Nigerian newspapers in the country seizing and destroying copies of several newspapers. The security operatives were said to be acting on ‘orders from above.’
In the days leading up to the 2015 general elections the Nigerian government has been accused of trying to restrict the international media from covering the polls by refusing to issue visas and accreditation.
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