Wanted Journalist Ahmed Salkida arrested at Abuja airport

Ahmed Salkida, an Investigative journalist who was declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over the latest Chibok girls video has allegedly been arrested on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, on Monday.

Salkida was one of three persons declared wanted in August by the Nigerian Army over alleged links to terrorist group, Boko Haram following the release of a ‘proof of life’ video showing some girls kidnapped by the group from Chibok community in Borno state since April 2014.

Salkida whose whereabouts were hitherto uncertain had stated on his website that the terrorist group forwarded the video to his mail because the group trusted his objectivity as a journalist.

According to Sahara Reporters, Salkida was arrested on Monday after arriving the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Emirates flight EK 785 in Abuja.

He was declared wanted alongside Ahmad Bolori and Aisha Wakil over links with terrorist group, Boko Haram.
The journalist who has been in East Africa since he was declared wanted, had released a statement saying he

The army subsequently stated that it had not intended to declare the trio wanted. Monday’s alleged arrest of Ahmed Salkida may therefore come as a surprise to many.

According to online news medium, Sahara Reporters, a passenger who sat next to the journalist hinted the medium of Salkida’s arrest.

The passenger also stated that Salkida was nervous throughout the flight. She said she recognized the journalist from photos posted on the Internet and engaged him in conversation throughout the seven-hour flight.

She said Salkida told her that he expected to be arrested upon arrival because he was traveling with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) and that the State Security Service (SSS) was aware of his coming. He also reportedly expressed the fear that he would not be given a fair trial and accused the government of pronouncing him guilty without trial.

The journalist is said to have further told the passenger that he did not know the whereabouts of Boko Haram leaders or Chibok girls.