An online publication focused on Nigeria’s National Assembly, OrderPaper, has condemned the Department of State Services (DSS) following the recent invasion of a staff member’s home and the arrest of Edna Ulaeto.
In a statement released on Friday, OrderPaper detailed how DSS operatives forcibly took Ulaeto from her residence, the location of which was not disclosed.
While it remains unclear whether she is a reporter, the publication suspects the incident may be linked to a story it published about a supposed invasion of the National Assembly.
OrderPaper expressed bewilderment over why Ulaeto was specifically targeted, noting that on October 18, 2024, armed individuals claiming to be DSS officers stormed her home, abducting her without explanation. She was taken in her nightwear and was reportedly treated roughly, leaving her family and neighbors in shock.
Disturbingly, it appears her phone number had been illegally tracked—a tactic typically used against serious criminals, not innocent media personnel. OrderPaper suspects that this abduction is connected to a recent article that mistakenly reported a DSS incursion aimed at preventing an attempt to impeach the Senate President.
Despite promptly issuing a retraction and public apology, masked individuals entered Ulaeto’s home, ransacked her belongings, and caused significant trauma to her family. Witnesses who attempted to intervene or document the incident were reportedly intimidated, with some forced to delete footage under threat of arrest.
The lack of any official communication or notice from the DSS or police raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the operation. Since her abduction, all attempts to contact Ulaeto have been unsuccessful, heightening fears for her safety.
This alarming situation has created an atmosphere of fear among the staff at OrderPaper, who now live in uncertainty about what may happen next. The publication urgently calls on the public, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the international community to demand Ulaeto’s immediate release and ensure her safety. They invite everyone to condemn this unlawful assault on press freedom and basic human rights before it escalates further.
This incident follows the arrest of a presenter from Urban FM in Enugu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Although the station reported that EFCC officials invaded during a live broadcast, the agency denied any wrongdoing, stating that the presenter was arrested for evading inquiries related to her involvement in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded numerous Nigerians.
