By Leadership Newspaper
The management of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim over the arrest and detention of its Kaduna State Bureau Chief, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
The company is also demanding an unreserved apology from the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State command, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, over the arrest of the Bureau Chief.
Aruwan was arrested and detained last Thursday by men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kaduna State Police command for interrogation over a story published in the LEADERSHIP edition of July 25, 2011 captioned; “Gun Men Attack Kaduna Villages”.
During his detention, our correspondent said the police persistently asked him who his sources of the said publication were which he declined to divulge.
The management of the newspaper in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police said it stood by the publication and demanded an unreserved apology from the Commissioner of Police, for unlawful detention and intimidation of Mr. Samuel Aruwan. It also warned the Force against its planned prosecution of Aruwan on a charge of “inciting publication”.
The petition also demanded for a thorough investigation of the incident that was reported by the newspaper on its July 25, 2011 edition.
The petition to the IG reads in part, “We want to state unequivocally that the unwanton intimidation, harassment, detention and eventual arrest of our Kaduna State Correspondent is a breach of his fundamental rights both as a citizen and a member of the Fourth estate of the realm.
“The publication in question was not only published by LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS GROUP, other print media organisations published the same story on the same day. It is curious that it is only LEADERSHIP Correspondent that is being hounded by your men. The facts of this publication are verifiable, while the victims of the reported attacks are ready to testify anywhere, if the need arises.
“We, therefore, stand by our story.
“We, therefore, stand by our story.
“The actions by the CP Kaduna state, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, which includes granting an interview to a national newspaper that the incident did not happen and his further attempt to intimidate and coarse our Kaduna State Correspondent to disclose the sources of his story are reprehensible.
“We demand an unreserved apology from the CP Kaduna State, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, while we insist that you use your good offices to investigate this incident.”
Samuel Aruwan
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