Detained Nigerian Journalist, Salkida, Freed By Security Agency

Ahmed Salkida, a Nigerian journalist declared wanted by the Nigerian Army several weeks ago and arrested yesterday by agents of the Department of State Security (DSS), has been released, a high-level security source told SaharaReporters.

Mr. Salkida was arrested yesterday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as he arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

A security source told SaharaReporters that Mr. Salkida was very “cooperative” throughout the time he was in the detention custody of the DSS. The source added that Mr. Salkida had informed the DSS in advance that he planned to return to Nigeria after the Nigerian Army declared him wanted. The military had sought the journalist, who is believed to be in contact with some leaders of the Islamist terror group, Boko Haram, especially in connection with the group’s recent release of a video showing some secondary school girls abducted in April 2014.

Mr. Salkida was released at 5:30 p.m. Nigerian time, and had reportedly gone to stay with some friends in Abuja.