Why we invaded Daily Trust offices, arrested staff – Nigeria Army

Nigeria Army has clarified reasons behind its invasion of a Nigerian newspaper, Daily Trust offices and arrest of some members of staff.

Personnel of the army had on Saturday invaded Daily Trust offices in Maiduguri, Abuja and Lagos.

The troops arrested the regional editor, Uthman Abubakar and a reporter, Ibrahim Sawab and shut the gate of the office.

A source at the Daily Trust said the arrest of the journalist may be connected to the newspaper lead story on Sunday.

The report was written by Hamza Idris and Uthman Abubakar.

Daily Trust earlier reported that the Nigerian military has assembled thousands of troops and equipment in preparation for a massive operation to retake Baga and five other towns in the northern part of Borno State from Boko Haram.

The media outfit said it learnt that all the three arms of the nation’s armed forces, the army, navy and the air force, would be involved in the major offensive to flush out the insurgents from the areas they have captured.

“More troops including ground troops, airmen and naval personnel are being deployed from different formations. They would join those on ground in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states for the operations,” the newspaper said citing a military source.

A similar report was published by AFP on December 31.

However, the army said Daily Trust was culpable of strengthening the Boko Haram insurgency group with its Sunday Trust lead story, where it disclosed information of the military as regards fight against the terrorists.