Security Operatives Raid Premium Times Head Office; Arrest Publisher

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Reports have it that the Nigeria police have raided the head office of Premium Times in Abuja, and arrested the newspaper’s publisher, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi.

Olorunyomi, was whisked away alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu.

It was gathered that plain-clothed officers stormed the newspaper premises around 5 p.m on Thursday and conducted search at the office. They allegedly acting on a complaint filed by the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

The raid and arrest of Olorunyomi and Okakwu came days after Premium Times said to have spurned the order of the Nigerian Army to retract some news stories about the Nigerian Army and its operations.

The paper’s Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, condemned the raid.

“They should stop deluding themselves that they can muzzle the press and intimidate Premium Times,” said Mojeed. “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”.