By Dipo Olowookere
Men of the Nigeria Police on Thursday raided the head office of top online newspaper, Premium Times in Abuja.
During the raid, the security officials whisked away the paper’s publisher, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, and its judiciary correspondent, Ms Evelyn Okakwu.
It was learnt that the two journalists were arrested on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Mr Tukur Buratai.
Few days ago, the army accused Premium Times of aiding Boko Haram terrorists’ group with its reporting. The army also accused the paper of engaging in a campaign of calumny against Mr Tukur.
It wrote the paper to publish a retraction, but newspaper said it had no reason to do so, maintaining it was standing by its reports on the Force.
At about 5pm on Thursday, January 19, 2017, plain-clothed officers conducted search at the office of the paper and later went away with the two journalists.
Reacting, Premium Times’ Editor-in-Chief, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, said its “loyalty lies with our readers and the Nigerian people who have a right to know.”
According to him, the paper will continue “to discharge its responsibilities in line with global best practices, social responsibility and patriotism, even at great risk to our personal liberties”.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya