The Department of State Services (DSS) has freed an employee of OrderPaper, Edna Ulaeto, earlier taken into custody for reporting that DSS operatives invaded the National Assembly as part of a plot to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The journalist was arrested on Friday.
According to the newspaper’s management, masked DSS operatives arrested Ulaeto at her home.
The paper noted that despite its retraction and public apology, the DSS proceeded with the arrest, leaving Ulaeto’s family and colleagues alarmed and distraught.
However, on Saturday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) said it had secured the release of the journalist.
The IPI’s legal adviser, Tobi Soniyi, said in a statement: “The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute is pleased to announce the release of Edna Ulaeto, a staff member of OrderPaper, from the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
“Ulaeto was arrested on October 18, 2024, but was released the same day thanks to IPI Nigeria’s swift intervention.
“The medium had inaccurately reported this week that DSS operatives invaded the Nigerian National Assembly as part of a purported plot to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“The DSS expressed concerns that OrderPaper’s publication posed serious national security threats and caused significant local and international embarrassment.
“The agency said it sought to understand from the reporter the reasoning behind the inaccurate reporting and potential sources of false information aimed at destabilising the country.
“IPI Nigeria acknowledges the DSS’s concerns and appreciates their decision to release Ulaeto.”
