(CPJ/IFEX) – On 18 May 1999, two West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG) officers detained Jonathon Leigh, managing editor for the “Observer” newspaper, on the orders of Maj. Tanko. The arrest without charge was in retaliation for Leigh’s 17 May article in the “Observer,” which reported that Tanko and troops under his command conducted a search […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 18 May 1999, two West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG)
officers detained Jonathon Leigh, managing editor for the “Observer”
newspaper, on the orders of Maj. Tanko. The arrest without charge was in
retaliation for Leigh’s 17 May article in the “Observer,” which reported
that Tanko and troops under his command conducted a search of #1 Short
Street for weapons on 15 May. Leigh is currently being held at the Cockrill
Military Headquarters.
**Updates previous IFEX alert of 21 May 1999**
Background Information
At approximately 10:30 a.m. on 20 April, Winston Ojukutu-Macauley was
arrested at the SierraTel communications center while speaking by telephone
to BBC colleagues. Maj. Tanko, a Nigerian officer of the West African
Peacekeeping Force, along with four ECOMOG soldiers, forced Ojukutu-Macauley
into a waiting vehicle. Earlier that day, Ojutuku-Macauley had been
reporting a story on how vehicles impounded at ECOMOG roadblocks were held
at a vehicle yard administered by Maj. Tanko. The vehicles were not
immediately returned to their owners.
After being transported to the ECOMOG command post at the Wilberforce
Barracks, Ojutuku-Macauley was placed in a cell and interrogated by Maj.
Tanko. “My boys told me you were trying to incite civilians against ECOMOG,”
said Maj. Tanko. “I am going to deal with you.”
At approximately 3:15 p.m., Col. Buhuria O. Musa, commanding officer for the
Freetown ECOMOG garrison, apologized to Ojukutu-Macauley and ordered his
release.
