I went to SSS to demand Sowore's release, not negotiate- Vanguard publisher

The Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka-Pemu, says he indeed visited the State Security Service in Abuja along with other influential Nigerians over the detention of Sahara Reporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Amuka-Pemu, however, said he did not go to negotiate with Sowore to drop his call for a revolution but to meet with the DSS leadership to release him.

The Vanguard boss said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of a book titled, 'The Big Interviews' authored by Eric Osagie, a former Managing Director of The SUN.

He said there was a need to curb fake news, especially on social media even as he asked journalists to always display maturity in their reportage.

Amuka-Pemu said, "I was among the persons that went to the DSS. Ismaila Funtua was there along with Nduka (Obaigbena).

"And what was published online is the opposite of what actually happened. Indeed, we went to the DSS but it was to tell the DSS to release Sowore because we believed that keeping him was not good for the government.

"It was not to negotiate with Sowore."

Premium Times had two weeks ago reported how a delegation led by Funtua which also comprised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, visited Sowore and asked him to drop his revolution bid.

The publisher of Thisday, NDUKA obaigbena, was also part of the delegation.