The Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday, October 18, 2024 released a staff of OrderPaperm Edna Ulaeto, who was earlier picked for questioning following her inaccurate reportage that operatives of the Service invaded the prescient of the National Assembly.
The release of Ulaeto from the custody of the DSS followed the quick intervention of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Ulaeto was arrested on October 18, 2024 as a result of her inaccurate report during the week that DSS operatives invaded the Nigerian National Assembly as part of a purported plot to impeach the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The DSS expressed concerns that OrderPaper’s publication posed serious national security threats and caused significant local and international embarrassment.
The Service explained that it sought to understand from the reporter the reasoning behind the inaccurate reporting and potential sources of false information aimed at destabilising the country.
A statement by Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser and Head, Advocacy Committee of the IPI Nigeria, acknowledged the DSS’s concerns and appreciates their decision to release Ulaeto.
Soniyi said; “We are hereby emphasising the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and accurate reporting.
“While OrderPaper promptly issued a retraction and apology, we understand DSS’ argument about the damage already done to it and the country,” he said.
The IPI urged journalists to always verify information before publishing and refrain from sensationalism, stressing that truthful reporting is crucial for a stable society.
