Nigerian police arrest reporter for 'Boko Haram links'

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – A Nigerian journalist wanted over purported links to Boko Haram was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the capital Abuja, according to security sources.

A security source who asked not to be named told Anadolu Agency late Monday evening: “Ahmad Salkida arrived this morning from Dubai and was immediately accompanied by operatives from the Department of State Services.”

“He is still being interrogated and will be transferred to army headquarters later,” the source added.

The Sahara Reporters “citizen journalism” website reported the arrest of the journalist who army authorities claimed has knowledge both of the inner workings of the militants and the whereabouts of over 200 schoolgirls abducted in 2014.

Salkida was declared wanted by the army on Aug. 14 along with two other individuals -- rights activists Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil.

They were sought hours after Boko Haram released footage showing dozens of the abducted girls and saying they would release them only exchange for jailed militants.

Salkida claimed to have gotten the footage from the militants almost a day before it was officially released on YouTube.

However, he insisted that his access to the group was as a result of a longstanding relationship with some of its commanders as a journalist who once worked in Borno, the birthplace of the insurgency.