(IJC/IFEX) – On 23 November 2002, security agents in Lagos arrested Simon Kolawole, editor of the Nigerian national weekend newspaper “ThisDay”. Kolawole was brought in for questioning over a story on the botched Miss World Contest that was published in his newspaper the previous weekend. The story led to violent protest in the northern part […]
(IJC/IFEX) – On 23 November 2002, security agents in Lagos arrested Simon Kolawole, editor of the Nigerian national weekend newspaper “ThisDay”.
Kolawole was brought in for questioning over a story on the botched Miss World Contest that was published in his newspaper the previous weekend. The story led to violent protest in the northern part of Nigeria by hoodlums and Muslims. It was said to have touched the sensibilities of some Muslims over an alleged blasphemous statement concerning Prophet Mohammed.
On 20 November, hundreds of Muslims and hoodlums armed with daggers, machetes, clubs and gallons of petrol stormed “ThisDay”‘s office in Kaduna and burned it down.
On 22 November, the demonstrations shifted to Abuja, where reckless destruction was carried out by protesters, in their determination to attack and bring to book the publisher of “ThisDay” newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena. Following the riot, Kolawole was arrested by State Security Service agents in Abuja on 23 November. The newspaper explained that Kolawole was invited for questioning over the publication but was not allowed to return to work by his interrogators.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for Kolawole’s immediate and unconditional release
Appeals To
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Villa
Asokoro District, Abuja, Nigeria
Or c/o Permanent Representative to UN
E-mail: nigeria@un.intMr. Tafa Balogun
Inspector General of Police
Force Headquarters
Moshood Abiola Road (formerly Festival Road)
Garki Area 10, Garki, Abuja, NigeriaPlease copy appeals to the source if possible.
