Soldiers on duty in Damaturu, Yobe state capital for hours detained Correspondents of Blueprint and Daily Trust Newspapers in Yobe were on Saturday denied movement to cover Governorship and State House of Assembly election.
The Army officers at ORO3, located behind Union Bank, Damaturu, confiscated journalists’ car and kept them for hours.
Musa M. Buba of blueprint and Hamisu Kabir Matazu of Daily Trust, were using private vehicle with INEC approved sticker, Identification cards, company’s identification cards and reflective jackets, issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but were denied access to perform their legitimate duties.
A Lieutenant that gave the directives refused to listen and detained journalists.
These were his words: “Do you think you have any right? Go there and stay until I decide what to do with you,” he said.
Mr. Yusuf Isah, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) in Yobe state had earlier condemned the act, saying NUJ and army had enjoyed good relationship in the state.
The two journalists have since been released on arrival of the Army Spokesman, Lieutenant Njoka Irabor.
