Ribadu silent on According journalist’s abduction, stolen camera, phones

The Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has not responded days after its officials abducted The According photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola, and made away with his camera and phones.

The officers have yet to return the camera and phones they took from Jaiyeola, either to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command or to him directly.

The officials’ misconduct has further contributed to the oppressive actions of security agencies against journalists covering the ongoing protests.

Our correspondent on Sunday could not get the reaction of ONSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa.

Frantic efforts made by Jaiyeola to recover his belongings, including going back to the NSA’s office, were futile.

The photojournalist said the security operatives at the gate denied him access despite explaining what transpired to them.

The officials had abducted Jaiyeola last Thursday while he was doing his job, covering the #EndBadGovernance protest at Eagles Square in Abuja.

He was rough-handled and whisked away by the security men despite showing his official identity card.

The ONSA officials drove him to the FCT police command and ordered his detention without stating any offence against him.

Jaiyeola said the officials refused his requests to call his office or family to inform them of his whereabouts.

The FCT Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed that officials from the NSA office brought Jaiyeola to the command.

She added that they didn’t leave his belongings with them.

“We didn’t arrest him. He was brought from the NSA office. He has been told to go but he said his phone and gadgets are with the people who brought him and we have been trying to see how he could get them back which was why he is still with us. The FCT police command didn’t arrest him, please,” Adeh said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute, on Sunday, condemned in strong terms the deployment of excessive force against journalists covering the nationwide protests.

It should be recalled that on Saturday, August 3, 2024, several journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protests were shot at the  Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja by security agents wearing hoods.

The journalists narrowly escaped unhurt, but bullets damaged one of their cars.

The firing of what is suspected to be live ammunition at the main entrance of the stadium was strongly condemned.

The shooting also appeared to be premeditated,  as the journalists were particularly targeted and shot twice within minutes.

In a press statement by its President,  Musikilu Mojeed; and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the IPI said: “Saturday’s shooting is even more worrisome as it happened a day after the Chief of Defence Staff said on live television that journalists should stop publicising the activities of the protesters.

“The IPI is hereby demanding an immediate investigation of the shooting incident at the stadium, where journalists were targeted. The officers involved, reported to be personnel of the police and the State Security Service, should be identified and punished.

“The media has a responsibility to cover the ongoing protests across the country, and journalists must be allowed to carry out their constitutionally mandated role without interference and intimidation by anyone.

“Targeting and shooting at journalists carrying out their legitimate duties is tantamount to taking a wild shot at our democracy and it should be condemned by all.”