Nigerien authorities release Daily Trust journalist
The deputy editor of Daily Trust on Sunday, Lawan Danjuma Adamu who was detained in Agadez, Niger Republic has been released.
Adamu was detained on Saturday while on his way to do an investigative story on the route used by Nigerians and many West African countries to migrate to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea.
In an interview, Adamu said he was handed over to Nigerian Immigration officials at Kongolom, a border town between Nigeria and Niger Republic in Katsina State around 6 p.m. yesterday.
The release of Adamu may not be unconnected with pressure from the management of Media Trust Ltd, the Nigerian Guilds of Editor (NGE) and other pressure groups.
“I was accused of not tutoring the Nigerien officials at the Kano consulate on how to do their jobs. They said the Kano Consulate officials that issued me entry permit were supposed to contact the Minister of Information and other officials. Is it my job to do that?
“At first they said they will hand me over to our Ambassador in Niamey but I think because of pressure, they handed me over to our Immigration officials at the border town. I got all necessary documents and clearance before embarking on the trip,” he said.
According to him, the Nigerien authorities deliberately frustrated his trip.
“They detained me because they don’t want the migrants’ story reported. People are passing through Agadez, a desert town and the Nigerien are making fortunes from it,” he said.