Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested journalist Edna Ulaeto, a staff member of OrderPaper, during a dramatic raid at her home on Friday. The incident has caused widespread concern, especially among media professionals and advocates for press freedom in Nigeria. The arrest, which has raised questions about the treatment of journalists in the country, was linked to a recent erroneous report published by OrderPaper, adding another layer of controversy to the already tense situation.
According to reports, the details of Ms. Ulaeto's arrest were revealed in a statement issued by the management of OrderPaper. The news organization explained that a group of armed men, who identified themselves as DSS officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser, stormed Ms. Ulaeto’s residence in the early hours of the morning, taking her by surprise.
The operatives reportedly mistreated Ms. Ulaeto, who was still in her nightwear, and took her to an undisclosed location. This forceful action has raised alarms about the manner in which the arrest was conducted. The statement by OrderPaper recounted the distressing nature of the raid, saying, “The young lady, still dressed in her casual nightwear, was violently manhandled and forcibly taken away to an unknown destination, leaving her family and neighbors in shock and fear.” The fear and uncertainty caused by the sudden and forceful nature of her arrest have sparked outrage among her colleagues and media organizations across the country.
OrderPaper further claimed that Ms. Ulaeto’s phone number had been unlawfully tracked in the lead-up to her arrest, indicating that the authorities were monitoring her communications. The organization is now questioning the legality of such actions, particularly in relation to the rights of the press and the privacy of journalists.
Her arrest is reportedly tied to a recent article published by OrderPaper that mistakenly reported on a DSS operation at the National Assembly, alleging that it was aimed at preventing the impeachment of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The story, which was later proven to be false, had been retracted by the newspaper, and a public apology was issued. However, despite these corrective measures, Ms. Ulaeto was still apprehended by the DSS in a move that many see as an overreach by the security agency.
Despite the retraction, masked officers broke into Ms. Ulaeto’s home, conducted a search through her personal belongings, and caused significant distress to her family. The invasive nature of the search, coupled with the manner of her arrest, has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the necessity and proportionality of the DSS's response.
The statement from OrderPaper also noted that neighbors who attempted to intervene or document the event were forcibly pushed aside by the officers. Some neighbors were reportedly made to delete their photos and videos of the raid under threat of arrest, further compounding concerns about the violation of basic rights during the operation.
Additionally, the statement highlighted the concerning fact that no formal notice or invitation was issued to either Ms. Ulaeto or the OrderPaper organization prior to the raid, raising serious questions about the legality of the operation. The absence of a formal summons has deepened the suspicion surrounding the motives of the DSS and heightened concerns about press freedom in Nigeria. Attempts to contact Ms. Ulaeto following her arrest have been unsuccessful, with many fearing for her safety and wellbeing.
OrderPaper expressed the collective fear and uncertainty experienced by their staff, stating, “This brazen, terrifying act has left the entire staff of OrderPaper living in fear, uncertain about what could happen next.” The statement conveys the growing anxiety among media professionals, who now feel vulnerable to similar actions by security agencies in the country.
In response to the arrest, the organization called on civil society groups and the international community to intervene and demand Ms. Ulaeto’s immediate release. They also urged these groups to condemn the incident as a blatant attack on press freedom and human rights. The call for support from both local and international organizations reflects the gravity of the situation and the potential implications for press freedom in Nigeria if such actions are allowed to go unchecked.