The Nigerian military barred the distribution of major newspapers citing "grave security implications."
Among the newspapers were The Daily Trust, The Nation, Leadership and Guardian, which were stopped from circulation on Friday and Saturday across the country. On Sunday morning in Kano, vendors were still to receive their copies.
The military has said that sensitive material concerning security are being dispatched by some newspaper's vehicles across the country.
Punch newspaper reported online that soldiers stormed its distribution centres on Saturday, damaged newspapers, prevented vendors from accessing distribution vans and arrested drivers.
The director of defence information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the clampdown followed an intelligence report that the vans were used to circulate dangerous weapons, Punch reported.
"Denying Nigerians access to news and information sows the seeds of rumours and distrust," said Sue Valentine of the New York-based watchdog, Committee to Protect Journalists, on Friday.
"While we recognize that Nigeria faces security threats, these can never effectively be addressed by media blackouts or persecution of journalists. We call on authorities to respect the vital role that media play in circulating information and holding government to account," CPJ's Africa programme coordinator said.
The presidency and the military said the move was not aimed at clamping down on press freedom.
President Goodluck Jonathan's aide, Doyin Okupe, said the action will be stopped as soon as certain issues are resolved by security personnel.
Newspaper proprietors and the Guild of Editors have condemned the action.
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, posted on Twitter: "By attacking the press, and arresting journalists, aren't we slowly edging back to the dark days of military dictatorship?"
In another post, he wrote: "We can't surrender the freedoms of democracy for the ambitions of one man or party. This press harassment must stop in Nigeria's interest."
Among the newspapers were The Daily Trust, The Nation, Leadership and Guardian, which were stopped from circulation on Friday and Saturday across the country. On Sunday morning in Kano, vendors were still to receive their copies.
The military has said that sensitive material concerning security are being dispatched by some newspaper's vehicles across the country.
Punch newspaper reported online that soldiers stormed its distribution centres on Saturday, damaged newspapers, prevented vendors from accessing distribution vans and arrested drivers.
The director of defence information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the clampdown followed an intelligence report that the vans were used to circulate dangerous weapons, Punch reported.
"Denying Nigerians access to news and information sows the seeds of rumours and distrust," said Sue Valentine of the New York-based watchdog, Committee to Protect Journalists, on Friday.
"While we recognize that Nigeria faces security threats, these can never effectively be addressed by media blackouts or persecution of journalists. We call on authorities to respect the vital role that media play in circulating information and holding government to account," CPJ's Africa programme coordinator said.
The presidency and the military said the move was not aimed at clamping down on press freedom.
President Goodluck Jonathan's aide, Doyin Okupe, said the action will be stopped as soon as certain issues are resolved by security personnel.
Newspaper proprietors and the Guild of Editors have condemned the action.
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, posted on Twitter: "By attacking the press, and arresting journalists, aren't we slowly edging back to the dark days of military dictatorship?"
In another post, he wrote: "We can't surrender the freedoms of democracy for the ambitions of one man or party. This press harassment must stop in Nigeria's interest."
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