Three newspaper journalists: Aniefiok Macaulay of Daily Independent, Aniefiok Udonquak of BusinessDay and Patrick Odey of Daily Trust were on February 6, 2013 arrested and detained by a team of Policemen in mufti in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital in Nigeria.
They had gone to interview Mrs. T. A. Nweke, the principal of Federal Science and Technical College, Aka Offot in Uyo over the alleged rot and falling academic standard in the institution.
Mrs. Nweke reportedly invited the journalists to her office only to call the police, alleging she was being harassed by them. When one of the journalists attempted to leave the principal’s office, he was pushed back and forcefully detained in the principal’s office for hours awaiting the arrival of the police.
Mr. Emmanuel who identified himself as a Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) led the team; he claimed the journalists were detained for daring to interview the principal.
The journalists went to the school to investigate allegations by parents and stakeholders of poor academic performance by students of the institution and alleged imposition of illegal levies.
