“It is imperative that the President takes further action to discourage this sort of high-handedness in future as anything short of punitive action against the perpetrators of the act would amount to encouraging impunity."
The Nigeria Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the siege on Daily Trust offices by officers of the Nigerian Army.
Soldiers had invaded the Borno and Abuja offices of Daily Trust on Sunday, arresting staff and confiscating computers. The Nigerian Army has, however, explained that the action was taken over an article published by the newspaper on Sunday. [story_link align="left"]66057[/story_link]
The MRA lauded the president for ordering the soldiers to vacate the premises of the media organisation, and urged him to take punitive action against the perpetrators.
A statement signed by Ayode Longe, the Programme Director of MRA, read: “It is imperative that the President takes further action to discourage this sort of high-handedness in future as anything short of punitive action against the perpetrators of the act would amount to encouraging impunity.
“We, therefore, call on the President to demonstrate his commitment to the rule of law and disdain for abuse of power and impunity.”
MRA insisted that the Federal Government must fish out the officers involved in the raid of the newspaper’s premises and prosecute them accordingly.
The army has, however, vacated the offices of Daily Trust, but the staff arrested have not been freed.