WIKE’S MEN INVADE NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWSPAPERS, ARRESTS EDITOR, 3 OTHERS

IKWERE, Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria – Policemen working in the office of the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike earlier today invaded Nativity Communications Limited on Ikwere Road, Port Harcourt where they made several arrests and carted away materials.

Among those arrested were the editor of the newspaper and three others, two staff and a visitor. Wike’s men also carted away items including mobile telephone sets, office equipment, including video cameras.

In a statement, Nativity Communications Limited said the journalists were treated like common criminals.

“They were manacled like common criminals and are currently being dehumanised and traumatized by being publicly paraded as hardened criminals. At the moment, they are being paraded along Olu Obasanjo Road”, the organisation said.

“Men of the Nigeria Police serving a special task force set up by Gov. Nyesom Wike have broken into office of the Nativity Communications Company Limited at 47 Ikwerre Road, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt and arrested three staffers.

“They have been bundled like common criminals into a waiting van. Office equipment, including video cameras and cell phones were seized.

“The total number of persons arrested by a team of police men working for the Rivers State Government who broke into the Nativity Communications Company Limited office earlier today, are 4 – Editor, The Neighbourhood Newspaper, 2 operators in the Nativity Press and a customer.

“They were manacled like common criminals and are currently being dehumanised and traumatized by being publicly paraded as hardened criminals. At the moment, they are being paraded along Olu Obasanjo Road”, the newspaper said in a statement.