Posted by From Kelvin Ebiri on
Security agents stationed at the Obuma flowstation, Brass, Bayelsa State have arrested and detained the National Geographic award winning photo journalist, Ed Karshi.
Security agents stationed at the Obuma flowstation, Brass, Bayelsa State have arrested and detained the National Geographic award winning photo journalist, Ed Karshi. Karshi who was sent by the National Geographic to document the Niger Delta was arrested on Friday by security agents at Obuma flowstation while he was taking photographs.
An environmental lawyer, Douglas Oronto told The Guardian that the Head of Our Niger, Vom Kemedi was yesterday dispatched to Brass to discuss with military authorities in order to secure the release of the journalist. Douglas described the arrest of the journalist as embarrassing and condemnable, noting that journalists, human rights activists and aid workers are increasingly been harassed by security agents in the country, and in the Niger Delta in particular. "The National Geographic journalist is doing a documentary for posterity.
He is documenting today happenings in the Niger Delta for the generations yet unborn. This documentary will serve as a guide to the rest of humanity several thousand years from now. We call for his release because the journalist has committed no offence," he said. Efforts to reach the Head of the Joint Taskforce in Bayelsa State was to no avail.
Even attempts to reach Kemedi, who was negotiating, the release of Karshi proved abortive. Similarly, security operatives in Rivers State have arrested an Advert Representative of ThisDay in Port Harcourt, Gloria in connection with an advert placed by a group 'Niger Delta gorillas' who have threatened to wreak havoc in Rivers State should Governor Peter Odili be given the Peoples Democratic Party presidential ticket.