The Nigeria Police Force, on Monday, allegedly detained the Publisher of Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper and CEO of Rock FM Jalingo, Taraba State, Mr. Ayodele Samuel Oloye.
The publisher was allegedly detained by the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja over a petition by the lawmaker representing Taraba South Senatorial District and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
In an alert sent to journalists on Monday morning, Ayodele had informed media colleagues that he was honouring a police invitation at the FCID.
The alert read, “I’m Ayodele Samuel Publisher of Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper and CEO of Rock FM Jalingo, the first private FM radio station in Taraba State.
“I’m honouring a police invitation at the FCID, Abuja over a petition (I don’t know who the petitioners are or the content of the petition) but as a law-abiding citizen, I have honour the invitation with a lawyer provided by the Media Rights Agenda MRA.
“I feel it’s necessary to inform you and seek your support in case things go south.”
However, in a subsequent alert on Monday evening, the publisher claimed that the lawmaker had petitioned the highest investigating arm of the police to investigate him on allegations of “cyberstalking, defamation of character and frustration of ambition among others”.
The alert titled, ‘Breaking: Police Detain CEO of Rock FM in Abuja, Over Senator Bwacha’s Petition’, read in part, “Senator Bwacha, who started his own radio Station in Jalingo a few days ago, petitioned the Nigerian Police to investigate us, planning to keep me in police custody to cripple Rock FM. We heard he met the Inspector General of Police one-on-one on this issue.
“It is demeaning to all Taraba South Senatorial constituents and also the entire 9th National Assembly for a three-term senator Bwacha to be calling for the investigation on why a Nigerian decides to live and own a radio station in Taraba.
“So far, the police are doing their job with appreciable decency. We’re not afraid and no amount of intimidation can kill our love for the people.”
Confirming the development on Monday night, Ayodele’s wife, Mercy, who spoke with our correspondent, alleged that the publisher who arrived at the FCID around 10 am to honour the invitation was yet to be released.
“Yes, he has been detained. He got to the FCID around 10 am and till now, he’s still there. A friend who is with him said he has been under interrogation and writing statements since they got there. He is yet to be released as I speak to you.”
When contacted on Monday night to confirm the publisher’s detention, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “I will find out, please”.
