The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Edna Ulaeto, an Abuja-based journalist from OrderPaper, following her arrest over a report alleging a move by senators to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
DSS operatives had raided Ulaeto’s home on Friday, where she was reportedly mistreated before being taken to an undisclosed location. According to a statement from OrderPaper, masked agents forcibly removed her, threatening neighbors who attempted to document the incident and forcing them to delete their recordings.
Despite *OrderPaper* issuing a retraction and public apology for the report, the DSS proceeded with the arrest, leaving Ulaeto’s family and colleagues distressed.
On Saturday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) confirmed securing her release. A statement by IPI Nigeria’s Legal Adviser and Head of Advocacy Committee, Tobi Soniyi, noted that the DSS had raised concerns that OrderPaper’s publication posed 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 destabilizing the country.
“IPI Nigeria acknowledges the DSS’s concerns and appreciates their decision to release Ulaeto.”
