Despite Retraction of Senate Invasion Report, DSS Orders Abduction of OrderPaper Staff Edna Ulaeto

Edna Ulaeto, a staff member of OrderPaper, has been abducted by the Department of State Services, DSS.

OrderPaper, an independent parliamentary monitoring organisation focusing on informing the public about the activities of Nigeria’s legislative chambers, disclosed this on Friday.

In a statement on Friday, OrderPaper claimed that the abduction resulted from a publication titled, ‘DSS Takes Over NASS amid impeachment speculations.’

The said publication has since been deleted.

OrderPaper’s Full Statement

“Today, October 18, 2024, a group of armed men, identifying themselves as officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), forcefully stormed the home of an OrderPaper staff member, Edna Ulaeto, and abducted her without any explanation. The young lady, still in her casual nightwear, was violently manhandled and whisked away to an unknown destination, leaving her family and neighbours in shock and fear. Shockingly, it has come to light that her phone number was illegally tracked, a tactic typically reserved for dangerous criminals, not innocent media staff.

“OrderPaper suspects this cruel and unjust act is connected to a recent news article that mistakenly reported on an alleged DSS invasion of the National Assembly, supposedly to block an attempt to impeach the Senate President. Despite immediately issuing a retraction and public apology, masked men broke into her home, tore through her personal belongings, and caused immense trauma to her and her family.

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“Neighbours who attempted to follow or capture the horrifying event were shoved aside, with some forced to delete photos and videos under the threat of arrest. No official notice or invitation was ever sent to the individual or OrderPaper by the DSS or police, raising serious concerns of foul play. Since the abduction, all efforts to reach her have failed, intensifying fears for her safety.

“This brazen, terrifying act has left the entire staff of OrderPaper living in fear, uncertain of what may happen next. We urgently call on the public, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the international community to demand her immediate release and to ensure her safety. Join us in condemning this unlawful attack on press freedom and basic human rights before it is too late.”

No DSS Response

On Saturday, West Africa Weekly called Peter Afunanya, DSS Spokesperson, for comment(s), but he did not answer the calls or respond to a text message sent at press time.

About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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