Arrests, seizure of computers as soldiers invade Daily Trust offices in Abuja, Borno

Men of the Nigerian Army Sunday invaded the head office of Daily Trust newspaper in Abuja and its regional office in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Following the invasion, Daily Trust took to its social media pages to break the news and also provide updates.

“Armed early Sunday entered Daily Trust’s office in Maiduguri and arrested two reporters, including the Bureau Chief, Usman Abubakar. They say it is regarding the lead story of Daily Trust on Sunday. Production work has stopped.

“Armed soldiers in several vehicles have laid siege to Daily Trust headquarters in Abuja. They have surrounded the premises, dismissed the Mobile Police
guards and refused to allow entry or exit”, the paper tweeted.

A full report of the development was published on the paper’s site.

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It read thus: “Armed soldiers have invaded Daily Trust head office in Abuja, hours after taking over the Newspaper’s regional office in Maiduguri, Borno state and arrested the regional editor, Uthman Abubakar and a reporter, Ibrahim Sawab.

“The soldiers forced the gate open at the head office and drove in with three Jokic vans loaded with armed soldiers.

“Everyone in the building was asked to move to the ground floor while they move computers.

“The military personnel retrieved the phones of all staff member in the office.

“They also loaded all computers at the head office into some of their vans before taking off.

“Dozens of soldiers are presently stationed within and outside the building, preventing entry and exit.

“It is not clear yet why they took the action but it may be connected with the lead story of Daily Trust on Sunday on military operation in the North East.

“The soldiers had shut the gate of the Maiduguri regional office earlier in the day, after arresting the two editorial staff on sight at the time of the raid.

“All efforts to get the Military authorities’ response to these invasions have proved abortive as the Nigerian Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman ignored calls made to him by our reporter.

“He later sent a text message asking for a text message inquiry which our reporter sent immediately, but Brigadier General Usman is yet to respond to the text sent to him”.

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