Nigerian journalist arrested in Cameroon, accused of spying for Boko Haram | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Tuesday 1 September 2015

Nigerian journalist arrested in Cameroon, accused of spying for Boko Haram

Simon Ateba works with (or used to work for) PM News and is the publisher of Simonateba.com. A few days ago, he managed to leave a message on Twitter and Facebook before he was locked up in Cameroon on spying charges. The journalist who said he was in the country to investigate the conditions of over 50,000 Nigerian refugees camped there, was arrested for venturing into a refugee camp without permission. Now they are threatening to charge him for espionage, saying they suspect he was spying for Boko Haram. See his tweets after the cut..



According to Premium Times;
Ateba received a grant from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Abuja, to investigate the ordeals and suffering of Nigerians who fled into Cameroon as their communities came under sustained attacks from the extremist Boko Haram sect.
Dayo Aiyetan, executive director of the centre, confirmed that his organisation is aware of Mr. Ateba’s travels and investigation.
“We are saddened that he is being incarcerated for doing his job, and we demand his immediate release,” Mr. Aiyetan told Premium Times
Below is what Simon wrote on Facebook
“Was given my phone for five minutes to make some calls. Just spent my first night in Mokolo cell with two Nigerians who fled Boko Haram terrorist attacks between Gwoza and Maiduguri in a town or village called Sigesia. My first night in a cell in Cameroon far north was because I went to a refugee camp with about 50,000 Nigerians to do an independent reporting without they allowing me to do so.
“Having contacted the minister of communication, spoken to the governor, the army spokesman here and having gone to the UNHCR office in Maroua and spoken with officials there, I realised they will never allow me to see Nigerians living there. So I went anyway.
“Entered the camp and saw things for myself at Minawao camp, 12 kilometres in the bush from the main road and about 60 kilometres from Maroua where Boko Haram have struck three times. I spent the night with Abdulahi Amidou who fled and was accused of bringing foodstuff. He denied it.
“Living the best hotel in Maroua to sleep in a stinking cell with mosquitoes everywhere was shocking but Abdulahi and the rest told me their horrific stories. My flight should be 31 from Ndjamena but with me in a cell, that’s difficult to achieve.”
“Still with my phone in my cell. Before I left, I was told I will need to meet the governor of the region who will grant me access to the camp with Nigerians. I met the governor. He said he doesn’t have power. That power rests with the minister of communication.
“I got in touch with the minister and the army spokesman, sent text messages and so on. Here you need to travel to Yaoundé 800 kilometres away to meet the minister when he’s ready to meet you. Then he will send you to meet the governor in person in Maroua 800 kilometres back. Then the governor will send you to see the mayor. Then the mayor will send you to the gendarmerie. Then the gendarmerie will send people with you to the camp. The minister will choose which Nigerian in the camp you will speak with. And generally the leader who will tell you “We are grateful to the Cameroonian government. We are just very well treated here”. So that’s the procedure.”

32 comments:

Swerve said...

He prolly didnt get clearance before entering that camp but nevertheless, they should not hold him for too long before this issues escalates beyond their control. How did he get a cell phone in there tho?

STERN said...

Adonbilivit

Unknown said...

Uhmmmm nawa o!
Auntie linda ......

Unknown said...

So you went anyway, next time you won't go anyway.

Unknown said...

spy bi ti bo?

666 said...

Imagine...............See his gentle face

Unknown said...

Hmmmm no be small process....so na sodem go De pass person around like parcel but y u enter there without permission. Nawaa

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said..
.
This camerounians are the real boko haram just forget abeg..... #NowPlaying>> i gat yu: thelma orji....
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***


Anonymous said...

Hey dude, next time tag Linda ikeji blog. Cnn is not gonna carry your tweets! Good luck! Tml

Unknown said...

Lie i don't believe it?this is pure accussation because he is not an hausa man,unless he decided to join them.
The should investigate it properly,if his gulty let him face the consequency.
























#sad indeed

Unknown said...

Spy is a serious case anywhere in the world

Unknown said...

Who knows if they r saying d truth sef. No one is to be trusted abeg

Unknown said...

Dis is not good, abeg o! Wetin our ambassador for there don do??? Something has to be done fast. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Dis is not good, abeg o! Wetin our ambassador for there don do??? Something has to be done fast. Linda take note!

Blog It With Olivia said...

Na wa o







#it Will OnlY geT beTTEr
#it MUst EnD in prAise

Unknown said...

They're looking for an excuse to detain the innocent man......

Unknown said...

All good and nice...
I hope d Nigeria govt wil look into dis and ensure we don't hav dis occurrence again.


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Aviky said...

If this is true then it's quite a shame


New post up http://avikyphoenix.blogspot.com/2015/09/lotd-shine-bright.html?m=1

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Unknown said...

If he is found to be innocent after investigation, then he should be released. I don't blame Cameroon, they are doing their jobs. Times and people are unpredictable.









#TeamBlessed#

Unknown said...

If he is found to be innocent after investigation, then he should be released. I don't blame Cameroon, they are doing their jobs. Times and people are unpredictable.









#TeamBlessed#

NaijaDeltaBabe said...

Wahala dey!

Jimoh Rapport said...

Ogaa

Afonja said...

I suspect the government of Cameroon & Chad is playing politics with this Boko Haram issue. That's how they claim that the terrorists are ready for dialogue and made 9ja loose so much money during GEJ's tenure. They also started the same gist not long after PMB was sworn in. Our government should take action quickly and carry out a full scale investigation.

Anonymous said...

Linda if u know what this BH guys have done every body is a suspect till proven other wise. it does not matter who he is. the question is did he have a valid permit to enter into the camp if not then he is consider a suspect.

Unknown said...

Aunty linda post d winners biko

I dy urge.. My birthday z cuming
I need win this money biko

#TeamSept7

Ladun Liadi said...

Why did he go into the zone without due clearance?

Ladun Liadi said...

This guy probably does no appreciate d gravity of dis terrorism ish. Terrorists infiltrate refugee camps, he should know that, he put himself in d firing line.

ebony said...

How did he get a cell phone in there? Can't u read ?

Anonymous said...

Smart u, so u sabi read in between the line. He is stubborn at least small lesson for him. So he won't go anyway again lol.

Anonymous said...

This is why nigerian journalism doesn't go far. We refuse to praise brave reporters. It is obvious they are holding him because he wanted to expose what is going on in the camp. This is against human right. I am even beginning to doubt all this book harm capture. They may have been framing innocent people

I B M bolubantin said...

Please, let the government do something about it

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