The Department of State Services (DSS) has freed Edna Ulaeto, an Abuja based resident, who was detained over a report on the alleged plan by senators to impeach it’s President Goodwill Akpabio.
The journalist who works with Order Paper Online News media,was apprehended by the DSS personnel during a search operation on her resident on Friday.
In a statement issued by Order Paper management , it was revealed that heavily armed and masked DSS operatives forcibly entered Miss Ulaeto’s residence, subjected her to rough handling, before taking her away to an unknown location.
It was also revealed that witnesses who attempted to interfere or record the incident were aggressively dispersed, with some being threatened into deleting their recorded footage as evidence.
However, the management noted that the DSS proceeded with the arrest, leaving Ms. Ulaeto’s loved ones and colleagues in a state of panic and despair, even after the publication’s retraction and apology.
The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute announced on Saturday that it had successfully facilitated the release of the detained journalist.
The Statement approved by Legal Adviser and Head, Advocacy Committee , IPI Nigeria, Tobi Soniyi, disclosed that the DSS considered OrderPaper’s publication posed a serious threat to national security, resulting in substantial local and international embarrassment.
It was stated that, “The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute is pleased to announce the release of Edna Ulaeto, a staff member of OrderPaper, from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
“Ulaeto was arrested on October 18, 2024, but was released the same day thanks to IPI Nigeria’s swift intervention.
“The medium had inaccurately reported this week that DSS operatives invaded the Nigerian National Assembly as part of a purported plot to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“The DSS expressed concerns that OrderPaper’s publication posed serious national security threats and caused significant local and international embarrassment.
“The agency said it sought to understand from the reporter the reasoning behind the inaccurate reporting and potential sources of false information aimed at destabilising the country.
“IPI Nigeria acknowledges the DSS’s concerns and appreciates their decision to release Ulaeto.”
Eniola Jolaoso