Military Restrains Two Al-Jazeera Journalists In Maiduguri

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

From Mustapha Abdul Salaam – Defence Headquarters has announced it had restrained two Aljazeera Television journalists who were found loitering around areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, North Eastern Nigeria, where military operations are still ongoing.

The journalists, named Ahmed Idris and Mustafa Andy were noticed to have been moving around various locations including restricted areas in Yobe and Borno States, operating without any protection, accreditation or due clearance.

In a post on its blog Wednesday, the foreign journalists “were accordingly monitored by military intelligence operatives until they eventually had to be restrained to their hotel in Maiduguri.”

“This followed the increasing suspicion that their activities were aimed at interfering with the ongoing military operations in the area.

“The motive, activities and some material in possession of these individuals are now being investigated”, the Military indicated.

Defence also recalled that foreign journalists have earlier been cautioned against unauthorized and unprotected movements around the military operations area.

This warning it stated was reiterated until formally reversed or lifted, adding that appropriate arrangements would be made to assist duly cleared journalists to cover activities in the mission area within the limits of adequate safety, security and necessary procedures.