Police detain three journalists for carrying out investigations in Akwa Ibom

For daring to investigate the alleged rot at the Federal Science and Technical College, Aka Offot in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, three journalists: Aniefiok Macauley of Daily Independent, Aniefiok Udonquak of BusinessDay and Patrick Odey of DailyTrust were on Wednesday detained by the Police.

According to the report, Principal of the school, Mrs. T. A. Nweke, who arrived her office at about 11 am, invited the journalists to her office and later telephoned the police, alleging that she was being harassed by the newsmen.

The three journalists had gone to seek response from Nweke on the alleged rot in the school and falling academic standard in the state.

While the journalists drew the attention of the principal to the 2011 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results of the school in which 39 out of 135 students passed at credit level in Biology and five out of 135 in Chemistry, thereby prompting mass withdrawal of students from the school, some people who claimed to be policemen in mufti with horsewhips from the ‘C’ Division of the State Police Command, stormed to the office to arrest the newsmen.

Leader of the team, who identified himself as Mr. Emmanuel and claimed to be the DCO, ordered that the journalists arrested and taken to the police station for questioning for daring to interview the principal.

One of the journalists, who attempted to leave the principal’s office, was pushed back and forcefully detained in the principal’s office for hours.

Hours later, leader of the team claimed that he had received instructions from his boss not to allow the journalists leave the school premises, saying the reporters did not have the right to interview the woman.