NIGERIA: Minister’s security aides assault reporter

Terhembe Daka, of The Guardian, took photographs of Olajumoke Akinjide’s car held in a mudslide

A team of police officers and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), on Tuesday, attacked a journalist working with The Guardian Newspaper for taking photographs of the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide’s car held in a mudslide.

Akinjide travelled with officials of the ministry for project inspection in Bwari area council before heavy rains forced the convoy, comprising of Land Cruisers, to cut short the trip and return through a marshy bush path.

Trapped in the marshes, aides spent several minutes in attempt to release the minister’s car, prompting accompanying journalists to venture a few photo shots of the drama.

Police and SSS officials protecting the minister accosted Terhembe Daka and seized his phone. The photographs were then deleted by the FCT Coordinator of MDG programs and Director of Economic Planning, Isah Mohammed.

After questioning Daka, the aides shoved the reporter and withheld his phone, brushing aside explanations from other journalists on why the recordings were done.

“This should not be for the press,” some of the officials screamed at the reporters.

The drama eventually ended with the intervention of the Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the minister, Oluyinka Olukayode, who apologised to the journalists.

............IFERI ETUK, NIGERIAN GUARDIAN