Fresh details have emerged following the earlier report on the arrest of Chronicles Reporters correspondent, Mr. Manasseh Paul, by Hon. Ezekiel Zezelaga, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairmanship candidate in Gwagwalada Area Council.
According to eyewitnesses and credible sources close to the victim, Mr. Paul was abducted around 7:00 a.m. this morning by men who arrived in Ezekiel Zezelaga’s vehicle. He was reportedly taken straight to the residence of the current Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, where he was subjected to threats, intimidation, and physical assault.
Sources allege that during the encounter, the chairman and Mr. Zezelaga threatened to call operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to “take him away” from the police custody. They also allegedly threatened to assassinate Mr. Paul within 48 hours and burn down his residence if he continued publishing reports linking them to corruption and contract fraud.
It was further gathered that photographs of the detained journalist were taken and circulated among associates of the chairman and Zezelaga, with claims that they could “control anyone and anything” within Gwagwalada.
This development comes barely 24 hours after Chronicles Reporters published an investigative story exposing alleged contract racketeering and misuse of council funds, linking both Hon. Giri and Mr. Zezelaga to questionable financial dealings. The report detailed how Zezelaga was allegedly favored with multiple council contracts, many of which were traced back to private properties connected to the chairman.
Reacting before his arrest, Mr. Zezelaga reportedly called Mr. Paul on Wednesday evening, denying the corruption allegations and insisting that the chairman, in fact, owed him over ₦200 million for executed contracts. However, by Thursday morning, the situation escalated into his arrest and subsequent brutalization.
As of the time of filing this report, Mr. Paul remains in custody at the Gwagwalada Police Division, where eyewitnesses allege he is being brutalized under the supervision of Zezelaga’s aides.
Neither the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, nor Hon. Zezelaga has issued an official statement. Efforts to reach the FCT Police Command for comments have so far been unsuccessful.
Chronicles Reporters condemns in the strongest terms this blatant assault on press freedom and human rights. The organization calls on the Inspector-General of Police, the National Human Rights Commission, and relevant security agencies to intervene immediately, ensure the unconditional release and protection of Mr. Manasseh Paul, and hold all those involved accountable.
This attack represents a growing pattern of intimidation against journalists in Nigeria who dare to expose corruption at the local government level.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as events unfold.