Emmanuel Ukudolo l Wednesday, September 18, 2019
GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria – It appears, the Nigerian government is not satisfied with merely holding Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters in detention for more than 30 days now. As early as 6 am Wednesday, members of the security forces, comprising the Nigerian Police, Departent of State Security(DSS) and members of the Special Anti-robbery Squad(SARS) have laid siege at the Civic Media Lab, where Sahara Reporters is domiciled.
Their mission is to arrest all those working for the media outfit. They have not succeeded in gaining access into the building but they are waiting outside the premises at GRA and may storm the building at any moment.
Abiodun Shonibare, one of the staffs of Sahara Reporters who worked over night caught up in the ensuing melee spoke to Arise Television on the latest invasion by the security forces.
Speaking through a small opening on the fence, he said his attention was called to the presence of policemen, DSS and other security forces around the premises by the security man at the gate. He said they have been parading the area, banging on the gate, telling those inside the building to come out and that they are under arrest.
He said staff have refused to open since there is no warrant of arrest but it seems the security forces will break down the gate in a bid to have access to the building.
“They have laid siege, they are not allowing freedom of the press, this is not safe in a democracy”, Abiodun Shonibare said. We will post update later.
