The Special Task Force Unit of the Nigeria Police investigating the case of alleged bribery involving members of the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on fuel subsidy Tuesday detained a crime reporter of Abuja-based Peoples Daily newspaper over allegations he knew and was revealing too much about the investigation.

Lambert Tyem was held for six hours after he was invited to the police headquarters to explain how he was obtaining confidential information he was publishing, the journalist’s colleagues told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Tyem honoured the invitation only for the police to accuse him of hacking into their operational system to obtain information on the Farouk Lawan bribery investigation.

He arrived the police headquarters at 11.30 a.m. and was only released on bail at about 5.30 p.m.

He was asked to report back for questioning by 10 a.m. on Monday, July 23.

My Tyem’s colleagues, briefed on the matter, said the police threatened to charge the reporter to court over “a criminal case of conspiracy and divulging of official secret”.

During Tuesday’s interrogation of Mr. Tyem, officers reportedly expressed worry that the journalist was getting detailed information on every step  of the investigation.

Contacted, Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, said he was not aware of the matter but would check with the task force and revert to our reporter Wednesday.