The Department of State Services (DSS) has released journalist Edna Ulaeto who was arrested for reporting that DSS operatives invaded the National Assembly as part of plot to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ms Ulaeto, an employee of OrderPaper, was arrested on Friday.
The newspaper earlier said masked DSS agents 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.
A statement signed by the organisation’s legal adviser Tobi Soniyi said, “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.”
