NBS TV Journalist Rhonny Okot Arrested Over APAA Land Saga.

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APAA – Police in Apaa township Sunday (February 19) evening arrested Job Ronny Okot, a journalist working with NBS TV.

Okot had travelled to Apaa with two other journalists identified as Emmy Daniel Ojara (Speak FM in Gulu city) and Christopher Nyeko (Ugreports).

The trio was interviewing some residents at Apaa Market following the Government’s pronouncement to evict everyone from Apaa land saying it’s a protected area.

Ojara told New Vision that Police Field Force Unit (FFU) personnel from Apaa Police Post descended on Okot while he was filming the market.

“Christopher Nyeko and I had taken our gadgets to the vehicle after interviewing some vendors and the market leader when we saw the Police apprehending Job,” Ojara said.

According to Ojara, the Police claimed that Okot did not notify them about the interviews he was recording.

He added that the Police held Okot at Apaa Police Post for about 40 minutes before he was transferred on a motorcycle to Zoka Police Post in Adjumani district where he recorded his statement.

It took the efforts of a senior UPDF officer (name withheld) to negotiate for Okot’s release. He was released at about 8:00pm after spending one hour in detention.

Shortly after the release, Okot said his tripod stand, camera lens and an external microphone were destroyed during his arrest.

By the time filing story, North West Nile region Police spokesperson Ignatius Drgudu said he was yet to get the details of the incident.

He, however, wondered why Okot was arrested saying: “Journalists are supposed to work hand in hand with the Police and other security agencies.”