NSCDC makes U-turn, admits detained Kwara journalist

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps admitted detaining a Kwara journalist and lawyer on Friday.

The PUNCH had previously reported that NSCDC spokesperson in the state, Ayeni Olasunkanmi, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, said the agency did not detain or attack any lawyer or journalist, saying “that was a lie from the pit of hell”, adding, “Nobody hit her, she wasn’t hit. Have her come out with any evidence of beating.

The president of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners, Salihu Taofeek, who is also the publisher of the online news platform Informant247, was reportedly beaten for hours by NSCDC officials on Friday afternoon and locked in a cell.

Taofeek was reportedly detained alongside news platform editor Salihu Ayatullah and Eyitanwa Lawal, a lawyer turned journalist at SOBI 101.9FM, Ilorin.

Lawal had also taken to her Facebook page where she shared how she was allegedly beaten by law enforcement officials as she and her colleagues went to the commando’s office to inquire about her detained cousin.

However, in the latest release, titled “RE-HOW I WAS BEING ASSAULED BY THE NSCDC KWARA COMMAND OFFICERS,” the Civil Defense told: Subject.

“This rejoinder would not have been necessary but for your concern and that of the general public who hold the Corps in high esteem and have shown tremendous support and cooperation to the organization over the years.

“I have no doubt that some of you have seen a video posted by one Eyitanwa Lawal on her Facebook page. Any sane Nigerian who watched the video would have unknowingly gotten a very bad impression of the organization. Hence the need to set the record straight.

“On January 26, 2023, a case of assault and harassment was reported at the command station office by one Yusuf Yahaya against Damilola Bolanta. The case was handled professionally by the command’s peace and conflict resolution unit. After the matter was resolved between the complainant and the suspect, they were referred back to the police station to sign all the necessary documents.

“While they were still waiting at the station office, a lady by the name of Eyitanwa Lawal entered the station office to display unruly behavior which is not expected from a reasonable, rational and law-abiding citizen. She became a meddling intruder by interfering uninvited with our employees’ official duties,” said NSCDC spokesman Olasunkanmi.

The NSCDC said that when Lawal was warned not to interfere in an official matter, she (Lawal) started insulting one of the officers.

According to him, instead of putting herself in the Olympic pinnacle of decorum where trained noblemen belong, Lawal chose to use the language of a snipe on the Command grounds and had to be detained when asked to leave the premises. leave. of command, where she caused great disturbance and interfered with officers in the performance of their lawful duties, which she refused and was detained.

“After the intervention of some lawyers who had spent about an hour in detention, she and her fellow traveler were asked to write an apology letter, which was voluntarily written by her colleague, Taofeek,” the spokesperson said, adding that Taofeek “understood the unruly behavior of the said Khadijat (Lawal).”