Simon Ateba works with (or used to work for) PM News and is the
publisher of Simonateba.com. A few days ago, he managed to leave a
message on Twitter and Facebook before he was locked up in Cameroon on
spying charges. The journalist who said he was in the country to
investigate the conditions of over 50,000 Nigerian refugees camped
there, was arrested for venturing into a refugee camp
without permission. Now they are threatening to
charge him for espionage, saying they suspect he was spying for Boko
Haram. See his tweets after the cut..
According to Premium Times;
Ateba received a grant from the
International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Abuja, to investigate
the ordeals and suffering of Nigerians who fled into Cameroon as their
communities came under sustained attacks from the extremist Boko Haram
sect.
Dayo Aiyetan, executive director of the centre, confirmed that his
organisation is aware of Mr. Ateba’s travels and investigation.
“We are saddened that he is being incarcerated for doing his job, and
we demand his immediate release,” Mr. Aiyetan told Premium Times
Below is what Simon wrote on Facebook
“Was given my phone for five minutes to make some calls. Just spent
my first night in Mokolo cell with two Nigerians who fled Boko Haram
terrorist attacks between Gwoza and Maiduguri in a town or village
called Sigesia. My first night in a cell in Cameroon far north was
because I went to a refugee camp with about 50,000 Nigerians to do an
independent reporting without they allowing me to do so.
“Having contacted the minister of communication, spoken to the
governor, the army spokesman here and having gone to the UNHCR office in
Maroua and spoken with officials there, I realised they will never
allow me to see Nigerians living there. So I went anyway.
“Entered the camp and saw things for myself at Minawao camp, 12
kilometres in the bush from the main road and about 60 kilometres from
Maroua where Boko Haram have struck three times. I spent the night with
Abdulahi Amidou who fled and was accused of bringing foodstuff. He
denied it.
“Living the best hotel in Maroua to sleep in a stinking cell with
mosquitoes everywhere was shocking but Abdulahi and the rest told me
their horrific stories. My flight should be 31 from Ndjamena but with me
in a cell, that’s difficult to achieve.”
“Still with my phone in my cell. Before I left, I was told I
will need to meet the governor of the region who will grant me access
to the camp with Nigerians. I met the governor. He said he doesn’t have
power. That power rests with the minister of communication.
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