Wanted Nigerian journalist, Salkida arrested at Abuja Airport

ahmad Salkida

Security operatives believed to be members of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday, arrested Ahmed Salkida, the Nigerian journalist believed to have links with Boko Haram at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Nigerian journalist, Ahmed Salkida, was declared wanted along with two others, Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil, by the Nigerian Army after the group released a video on August 14 showing the abducted Chibok girls.

Salkida who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785 was arrested in Abuja from the door of the aircraft.

Salkida however, said following a conversation between him and a passenger onboard the flight, that he knew he would be arrested because he had been declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS).

“I recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight”, said the passenger who sat next to him during the journey.

According to her, she said the journalist was nervous throughout the flight.

She said, Salkida during their conversion, expressed fear that he will be arrested upon arrival at Nigeria because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the Department of State Service, DSS, was aware of his trip.

The journalist according to her accused the Nigerian Government of declaring him guilty without a trial, stressing that he may not be given a fair trial.

The passenger quoted Salkida as further saying he has no knowledge of the whereabouts of Boko Haram leaders or Chibok girls.

He, however, admitted to receiving two video clips from Boko Haram before they were released to the public, stressing that the terrorist group believed in his objectivity as an investigative journalist.

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