Newspaper Publisher Alleges Threat to Life over Report

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Chris Isiguzo
NUJ President

Publisher of the Taraba Truth and Fact newspaper, Mr. Oloye Samuel, has alleged  that his life is being threatened over his critical reporting of politicians in Taraba State in northern Nigeria.

The management of the newspaper said in a statement that Oloye had learned of a plan which was hatched during a meeting in Abuja to kidnap and assassinate him.

According to the statement, the plot was coordinated by a serving federal lawmaker and some of his cohorts who felt disturbed by the reportage of the newspaper in recent times.  It added that the politicians had through their agent contacted a criminal gang operating within Taraba/Benue border for the hatchet job.

The statement claimed a credible source told the newspaper that the plot was to kidnap the Publisher, and demand ransom but ensure he is not released alive.

The planning, the statement alleged, took place at the residence of the Federal Lawmaker in a highbrow area of Abuja before moving it to Sunnyvale Estate where some persons contacted for the deadly job were briefed.

The statement added that the job was handed over to some boys of the late Gana who were briefed about his movements within Jalingo and Abuja and that they have vowed to take him off the scene ahead of the next election.

The statement said a source said: “It’s going to be like a case of kidnapping for ransom but the ultimate goal is to get rid of you, they said you are working against their political interest.”

The management of the newspaper therefore called on security agencies to look into this plot saying it was ready to furnish them with all the details at their disposal. It promised to lodge a formal complaint to relevant agencies for proper action.