LAGOS MARCH 25TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Nigeria Defence Headquarters has said two journalists working for Aljazeera Television were found loitering around areas where military operations are ongoing in the North East and have been restrained in Maiduguri. DHQ, in a post on its website said the journalist were found moving around in restricted areas.
The journalist were identified as Ahmed Idris and Mustafa Andy. DHQ said, they “were noted to have been moving around various locations including restricted areas in Yobe and Borno State were also operating without any protection, accreditation or due clearance,”
He said they were accordingly monitored by military intelligence operatives until they eventually had to be restrained to their hotel in Maiduguri.
“This followed the increasing suspicion that their activities were aimed at interfering with the ongoing military operations in the area.
“The motive, activities and some material in possession of these individuals are now are being investigated. The DHQ said it had cautioned foreign journalists against unauthorized and unprotected movements around the military operations area.
“This warning is hereby reiterated until formally reversed or lifted. Appropriate arrangements will however continue to be made to assist duly cleared journalists to cover activities in the mission area within the limits of adequate safety, security and necessary procedures,” he said.