OrderPaper, a media outlet focused on Nigeria’s National Assembly, has strongly criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for its recent actions involving one of its staff, Edna Ulaeto. The DSS allegedly stormed her home, forcefully taking her away, with no disclosed reason.
In a statement released on Friday, OrderPaper recounted how DSS operatives raided Ulaeto’s residence, though the exact location was not specified. It is still unclear if Ulaeto is a journalist, but the media platform suspects her detention may be connected to a story it published concerning an alleged invasion of the National Assembly.
According to the outlet, armed men claiming to be DSS officers entered Ulaeto’s home on October 18, 2024, without warning, and forcefully abducted her. She was taken while still dressed in her nightwear, causing distress to her family and neighbors.
Alarmingly, OrderPaper reports that her phone number had been illegally tracked, a tactic usually reserved for dangerous criminals rather than journalists. This raises further questions about the legitimacy of the operation.
OrderPaper suspects that the arrest is tied to a recent article it published, which mistakenly suggested the DSS was involved in a foiled attempt to impeach the Senate President. Despite quickly issuing a correction and public apology, masked individuals ransacked her home, traumatizing her family. Witnesses attempting to intervene or capture footage were reportedly threatened and forced to delete their recordings.
No official explanation has been provided by the DSS or police, leaving many to question the lawfulness of the raid. Since her abduction, all attempts to contact Ulaeto have failed, raising serious concerns about her safety.
This incident has left the staff at OrderPaper fearful and uncertain about what might happen next. In response, the publication is urgently appealing to the public, civil society organizations, and the international community to demand Ulaeto’s immediate release and to speak out against this blatant attack on press freedom and human rights.
This development comes just after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a presenter from Urban FM, Enugu. The station had claimed EFCC officials invaded the studio during a live broadcast, but the agency denies any misconduct, stating the presenter was arrested in connection with a Ponzi scheme that defrauded numerous Nigerians.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvEAKW7DSkTfP0J