Free journalists in detention, says International Press Institute.
Journalist Daniel Ojukwu of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism has been called for urgent release by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute.
A statement signed on Saturday by Tobi Soniyi, the Legal Adviser/Chair of the Advocacy Committee of IPI Nigeria, and Musikilu Mojeed, the President of IPI Nigeria, stated as much.
Currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Lagos, Ojukwu was kidnapped by the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team.
IPI pleaded to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to order Ojukwu’s immediate release while denouncing his kidnapping and ongoing arrest.
“IPI Nigeria strongly condemns the abduction and calls on the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, order the release of Mr. Ojukwu,” reads part of the statement.
“At a time when the world is honouring press freedom, the Nigeria Police Force’s action says volumes about the mindset and dedication of Nigerian law enforcement organisations to press freedom.
“In apparent breach of his rights to dignity and expression, the Nigerian military abducted journalist Mr. Segun Olatunji in Lagos some weeks ago and flew him to Abuja under humiliating circumstances.”
Journalist kidnapping is turning into a pattern that will not be tolerated, IPI said. “An abuse of power,” it called Ojukwu’s kidnapping.
In contrast to pledges made during the president’s inauguration speech that his administration will protect fundamental human rights, a pattern has emerged with the two incidents mentioned above that indicates the fact that the administration of President Bola Tinubu not only condones but also encourages repression of press freedom.
“As we have always said and will reiterate, the right course of action in a democratic environment is to pursue remedies against journalists through due process.
“It amounts to an abuse of his powers and office for the Inspector General of Police to order the abduction of a journalist just because he is the overall head of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.
The institution demanded that President Bola Tinubu punish the IGP for failing to set an example and promoting abuses of human rights.
“IPI Nigeria urges President Tinubu to take action against the Inspector General of Police for not setting an example. Nobody is above the law.
The reason human rights abuses have persisted is that offenders are seldom brought to justice. It is time to start making those who are stifling freedom of expression answer.
“Daniel Ojukwu needs to be freed right now, failing which Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, would be listed as an enemy of journalists and the media by IPI Nigeria. Beyond Nigerian borders, his presence on the list has grave ramifications, the statement said.
Recently, gunmen who were eventually identified as Defence Intelligence Agency agents kidnapped Segun Olatunji, the editor of FirstNews newspaper, from his Lagos State residence.
Former Punch correspondent for Kaduna State Olatunji was kidnapped on Friday, March 15, 2024, from his house in the state’s Iyana Odo, Abule Egba district.
The administration of the online journal cited a recent FirstNews article titled “Revealed: “Defence Chief running an office like a family business: Public Interest Lawyers,” which was also shared by numerous other online sources.
After persistent pressure from the media, he was later released on March 28, 2024, to some media stakeholders, notably Yomi Odunuga of The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspaper in Abuja.