NUJ Frowns At Army For Declaring Journalist, Ahmed Salkida, Wanted
Ahmed Salkida, Nigerian Journalist[/caption]
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has frowned at the manner the Nigerian Army declared a journalist, Ahmed Salkida, wanted over alleged links to the terrorists holding more than 200 Chibok girls captive for over two years now.
The union in a letter to the Chief of Army Staff obtained by The Whistler signed by its national president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Odusile, said declaring Salkida wanted came as a surprise as the Army was very much aware of how and where to get him, knowing that he is understandably in exile in Dubai.
“It is instructive to note that the right of protection of sources is in effect a journalistic principle. This proves that confidentiality is very important in the field of journalism and that many journalists will go to extremes in order to keep sources confidential,” the letter reads.
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“Sir, declaring Ahmed Salkida wanted in connection with the missing Chibok girls the way the Army did is to put his life on the line needlessly.
“We submit that while Government should protect the right of journalists not to disclose their sources unless justified by an overriding requirement in the public interest in conformity with International human right law, we request the Nigerian Army to show sufficient justification for declaring Ahmed Salkida wanted, for not doing so is to expose him to possible retribution.”
The NUJ said it supports the determination of the government and people of Nigeria to bring to an end the worrisome problem of terrorism in the country and commended the patriotism and dedication of the Nigerian Armed forces in this regard.
Salkida and two others were declared wanted by the Army hours after a Boko Haram video surfaced showing about 50 of the alleged Chibok girls in an unknown location requesting the government to trade them in for captured Boko Haram fighters.
