American reporter detained, expelled from Nigeria

American reporter detained, expelled from Nigeria

03/11/96

NIGERIA–An American journalist working for the British Broadcasting Corp. was detained by Nigerian authorities in mid- February for 24 hours with no explanation. Nigerian officials released reporter Hilary Andersson the next day in Lagos without filing charges, according to AP reports.

Andersson was on her way out of the offices of Reuters news agency in Lagos when authorities took her into custody. She had been in Nigeria for one week.

A BBC statement reported she said she had been well-treated but was still unaware of the reason for her detention. Her editor, Rick Thompson, told AP that all of her reporting was accurate and impartial.

Both American and British diplomats intervened on her behalf, expressing grave concern to Nigeria’s military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, according to AP reports.