The Nigerian government on September 27, 2013, accused two leading independent online news websites–the Abuja-based Premium Times and the New York-based Sahara Reporters–of publishing frequent reports that « incite mutiny » within the military and undermine ongoing military operations against terrorist activities in northern Nigeria, according to news reports. 

In a speech delivered on live television during the 44th National Council on Information meeting in the Southwestern city of Osogbo, Information Minister Labaran Maku said it was « unacceptable »

that the reports by both news websites were « deliberately contrived to undermine military strategy, demoralize

our troops, or even cause incitement to mutiny. » Maku did not specify any particular articles.

Musikilu Mojeed, managing editor of the Premium Times, said the government’s failure to substantiate its claims with any evidence smacked of a ploy to « blackmail and intimidate independent media voices » from holding the government and its officials accountable, the news site reported. He denied the allegations, the reports

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