The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Edna Ulaeto, an Abuja-based journalist from OrderPaper, after her arrest concerning a report on an alleged attempt by senators to impeach Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
According to a statement from OrderPaper management, armed and masked agents stormed Ms. Ulaeto’s residence, mistreating her before forcibly taking her to an undisclosed location. The statement also revealed that neighbors who attempted to intervene or document the incident were pushed away, with some threatened to delete their photos and videos.
Despite OrderPaper’s retraction and public apology, the DSS proceeded with the arrest, leaving Ms. Ulaeto’s family and colleagues alarmed and distraught. On Saturday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute announced that it had secured her release.
A statement signed by Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser and Head of the Advocacy Committee at IPI Nigeria, noted that the DSS expressed concerns that OrderPaper’s publication posed serious national security threats and caused significant embarrassment both locally and internationally.
The statement read, “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.”
