Some soldiers deployed to protect President
Goodluck Jonathan’s private residence in
Otuoke, Bayelsa state, on Thursday harassed
and detained a Punch reporter, Simon Utebor,
for attempting to take pictures of the
president’s house.

Mr. Utebor was arrested by soldiers from the
Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta and handed
over to the police at Otuoke Police Station.
Mr. Utebor was accosted by soldiers on guard
duty while taking photographs of ongoing
work on the palatial residence constructed
while the president was in office.

Artisans were seen putting finishing touches to
the premises consisting of multiple blocks of
two storey buildings.
Mr. Jonathan is expected to be received on
Friday by the Bayelsa Government at the
Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre at 3p.m. and
later in his Otuoke country home by his
kinsmen.
When contacted the spokesperson of the Joint
Task Force, Isa Ado, a lieutenant colonel,
confirmed the arrest and subsequent handing
over of the Punch reporter to the police.
He said the JTF commander had already
ordered the release of the journalist.
But speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a brief
telephone interview, Mr. Utebor said he was yet
to regain his freedom.

“I have been transferred to the State CID, and I
have written a statement on the incident and we
are still waiting for the Police authorities,” Mr.
Utebor said.

www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/183837-soldiers-harass-detain-punch-reporter-taking-pictures-of-jonathans-bayelsa-home.html

..

they once ask me not to take a pic in front of their office