The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has once again sounded the alarm regarding the safety of journalists in the country, following the reported abduction of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Reports indicate that Ojukwu was taken into custody by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police and is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos.
IPI NIGERIA has vehemently condemned this abduction and is urgently calling on the Inspector General of Police to release Mr. Ojukwu without delay.
This incident, occurring during the global celebration of press freedom, underscores the Nigerian Police Force’s stance on press freedom and raises concerns about law enforcement agencies’ commitment to upholding it.
Recently, there was another alarming case where the Nigerian military detained journalist Mr. Segun Olatunji in Lagos, transporting him to Abuja under humiliating conditions, apparently violating his fundamental rights.
These incidents reflect a troubling pattern suggesting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu not only tolerates but also condones the repression of press freedom, contrary to promises made during the president’s inauguration speech to uphold human rights.
It is reiterated that in a democratic society, recourse to due process is the proper course of action when seeking redress against journalists.
The arbitrary abduction of a journalist solely due to his profession by the Inspector General of Police represents an abuse of power and office.
IPI Nigeria urges President Tinubu to take disciplinary action against the Inspector General of Police for failing to set a positive example. Accountability for human rights violations is essential to end the culture of impunity.
Daniel Ojukwu must be released immediately; failure to do so will result in the inclusion of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in IPI Nigeria’s list of individuals deemed enemies of the media and journalists. Such inclusion carries significant consequences beyond Nigeria’s borders.
