The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for immediate release of the detained Editor and staff of Daily Trust Newspaper, Borno State.
Ayuba Wabba, NLC President who gave the charge in a statement issued on Sunday, also urged authorities of Nigerian Army to re-open the Daily Trust, Borno State Bureau.
“We wish to condemn the arrest of the Borno State Editor of Daily plus other staff and closure of the state office by the military.
“No explanation is good enough for this extreme action. It is bizarre and represents repression and violation of press freedom.
“We are in a democracy and the media constitute one of the strong institutions in our democracy.
“The Daily Trust Group represent some of the best traditions in journalism practice. They are neither associated with sensationalism nor some of the darker side of journalism.
“The arrest of its personnel and shutdown of its office portend evil and represent a throwback to the dark days of the military.
“If the military authorities have issues with the news paper, even if those issues pertain to national security, there are established channels for dealing with them.
“Accordingly, we urge the military to order the immediate release of the detained staff and reopening of the newspaper office.
“In these frighteningly difficult times, the military need more friends than self-made enemies,” he warned.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
