Wanted Journalist, Ahmed Salkida, arrested at Airport
Tue Sep 06, 2016 07:39:am National
2.9K By Buchi Obichie
One of the individuals placed on wanted list by the Nigerian Army for alleged link with Boko Haram terrorist group, Ahmed Salkida, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Monday.
The journalist, was arrested at the airport by secret police officials, upon his arrival from Dubai.
According to a source at the airport, the security operatives were aware of his arrival from Dubai through the passengers' manifest.
The arrest was made at about 4:30pm local time, after which, Salkida was taken into custody.
Salkida had released a Boko Haram video showing abducted Chibok girls from Nigeria's northeast.
After the video was made public, the Nigerian Army declared Salkida and two others wanted, in connection with the video.
According to the Army's Spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, the suspects- Ahmed Salkida, Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil- possessed information on the conditions and the exact location of the abducted girls.
The girls were abducted on April 14, 2014 from their school's dormitory in Chibok, while they were preparing for their Secondary School Certificate examinations.
Their abduction triggered wide protests across nations, with a slogan, "Bring Back Our Girls".
Giving reasons for declaring them wanted, Colonel Usman said that two recent incidents had pointed to the fact that the suspects were connected to the terrorist group.
Reacting to the Army's declaration, Salkida, who was not in Nigeria at that time, said that he was prepared to return to the country, and had indeed kick-started the process to honour the invitation.
In a statement issued days after he was declared wanted, Mr Salkida said that the Army knew he was not in Nigeria prior to being declared wanted.
He pointed out that his return home would be quickened if the Government could fund his trip.
Salkida added that the Army was declaring him wanted for simply carrying out his professional duties as a journalist, stressing that he does most of his work with total allegiance and sacrifice to the Federal Republic of Nigeria'.
"Clearly, my status as a Nigerian journalist, who has reported extensively, painstakingly and consistently on the Boko Haram menace in the country since 2006 is an open book known to Nigerians and the international community," he said.
Both Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil had previously already turned themselves in for questioning.
They were both cleared by the Army.
The journalist, was arrested at the airport by secret police officials, upon his arrival from Dubai.
According to a source at the airport, the security operatives were aware of his arrival from Dubai through the passengers' manifest.
The arrest was made at about 4:30pm local time, after which, Salkida was taken into custody.
Salkida had released a Boko Haram video showing abducted Chibok girls from Nigeria's northeast.
After the video was made public, the Nigerian Army declared Salkida and two others wanted, in connection with the video.
According to the Army's Spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, the suspects- Ahmed Salkida, Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil- possessed information on the conditions and the exact location of the abducted girls.
The girls were abducted on April 14, 2014 from their school's dormitory in Chibok, while they were preparing for their Secondary School Certificate examinations.
Their abduction triggered wide protests across nations, with a slogan, "Bring Back Our Girls".
Giving reasons for declaring them wanted, Colonel Usman said that two recent incidents had pointed to the fact that the suspects were connected to the terrorist group.
Reacting to the Army's declaration, Salkida, who was not in Nigeria at that time, said that he was prepared to return to the country, and had indeed kick-started the process to honour the invitation.
In a statement issued days after he was declared wanted, Mr Salkida said that the Army knew he was not in Nigeria prior to being declared wanted.
He pointed out that his return home would be quickened if the Government could fund his trip.
Salkida added that the Army was declaring him wanted for simply carrying out his professional duties as a journalist, stressing that he does most of his work with total allegiance and sacrifice to the Federal Republic of Nigeria'.
"Clearly, my status as a Nigerian journalist, who has reported extensively, painstakingly and consistently on the Boko Haram menace in the country since 2006 is an open book known to Nigerians and the international community," he said.
Both Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil had previously already turned themselves in for questioning.
They were both cleared by the Army.
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