Nigeria: Police arrest journalist

Armed policemen numbering about five at the weekend invaded the office of Parliament International, an Abuja based magazine and arrested the publisher, Mr Gowon Usman Egbunu at 6 pm.

The policemen, who were led by one Ayeni Oluwadare, a deputy superintendent, claimed that they were acting on the orders of the Kogi State police commissioner.

According to a witness, the armed policemen stormed the media outfit located at Wuse II Abuja at about 1pm and attempted to break into the office to effect the abduction of the publisher.

The policemen prevented television cameramen from shooting pictures of their action and later whisked away the publisher at about 6 pm in a red Gulf car with registration number CU 856 ABJ.  

Managing Editor of Parliament International, Mr. Richard Odeh, said it is strongly suspected that the arrest was in connection with a story published by the magazine over the Kogi State governorship succession tussle.

He said the abducted journalist, who is believed to be held in Lokoja is yet to be charged to court more than 24 hours after his abduction. 

- March 23, 2010 by Abubakar Yakubu

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Source: news.dailytrust.com/index.php (accessed on 23.03.10)