Nigerian Military Continues Clampdown On Media, Soldiers Stop Distribution Of Newspapers In Abuja

For the second time, armed soldiers invaded the vendors distribution centre in Abuja and stopped circulation of all newspapers in the Federal Capital Territory. Punch Newspapers, Leadership and the Nation Newspapers, all Nigerian national dailies were Friday confiscated by soldiers.

At 2am Saturday, soldiers stormed newspaper distribution centre at Gariki, Abuja, marching out marketers of media houses, distributors and vendors. The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s regime continues clampdown on media as soldiers stopped newspaper cars cross the country and barricaded Abuja distribution center.

But the military insisted that it was acting on security reports on the likelihood of using some of the circulation vans to ferry explosives nationwide. The military said  the tight security  measure was necessary in the overriding public interest in a statement issued by General Chris Olukolade.

“Immediately they came, they took strategic positions and the team leader addressed us on why none of the newspapers cannot be circulated.

“He said they were acting on sensitive security reports that some subversive elements had perfected plans to hijack the newspapers’ distribution chain to ferry explosives to wreak havoc according to sources, 20 soldiers in seven Military Hilux vans stormed the Distribution Centre in Area at about 5.30am.

“They were civil but they gave us stern instructions not to attempt to distribute our copies.” a source said.

A military source claims, “Soldiers acted on security reports of the hijack of the newspapers distribution chain to perpetrate insurgency.
“There is no way we can take things for granted in any manner whatsoever. We are trying to sort things out, we will get back to you.”