Punch Report

The British Broadcasting Service and Cable News Network on Monday afternoon demanded explanations from the Nigerian government over the invasion of their Lagos offices by State Security Service agents.

The agents were said to have forced their way into the offices of the BBC and CNN at noon to stop them from further reporting on the street protests over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Nigerian government.

In postings on its BBC Newshour handle, the BBC wrote, “We’re investigating reports that secret service have forced their way into CNN, BBC building in Lagos, Nigeria.

“We’re talking to our Lagos bureau team now to find out what’s going on. Security services leave BBC, CNN building in Lagos. Correspondent tells us Nigeria wants to keep media on a “short finger”.

In a posting on its Twitter handle, CNN wrote, “Nigerian authorities enter CNN Lagos bureau unannounced today. No raids occur. CNN requests explanation and continues to report as usual.”

A foreign journalist, Sami Srhan, also confirmed the invasion of the media organisations’ offices by the SSS.