Borno: Al-Jazeera journalists stray into detention

Two Nigerian journalists, identified as Ahmed Idris and Mustafa Andy, working with Al-Jazeera television have run into trouble in Maiduguri as they have been detained by the military.

Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade in a statement posted on the military website, stated, that the two men were “found to have been loitering around areas where military operations are ongoing in the northeast and have been restrained in Maiduguri”.

He stated that they were “noted to have been moving around various locations including restricted areas in Yobe and Borno state (and) were also operating without any protection, accreditation or due clearance”.

Al-Jazeera said on its website that Idris, a reporter, and Andy, a producer, had been “officially detained until further notice” since Tuesday and called for their immediate release.

“They have all the relevant paperwork to report on the Nigerian elections (this Saturday) and stories related to the election,” the station said.

Olukolade said the journalists had been “monitored by military intelligence operatives” until they reached the Borno state capital.

“This followed the increasing suspicion that their activities were aimed at interfering with the ongoing military operations in the area,” he added.

“The motive, activities and some material in possession of these individuals are now being investigated.”

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