Abduction: International Press Institute calls for release of Daniel Ojukwu, threatens to brand inspector general of police enemy of media

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has again raised the alarm over the safety of journalists in the country, following the report of the abduction of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Ojukwu was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police and is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos.

The world body of journalists, however, in reaction to the ugly development strongly condemned the abduction of the journalist and called on the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, order the release

‘IPI NIGERIA strongly condemns the abduction and calls on the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, order the release of Mr Ojukwu. Coming at about the period the world is celebrating the freedom of the press, the action of the Nigeria Police Force speaks volumes of the attitude and commitment of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to the freedom of the press’, the statement reads.

Penpushing further reports that the International Press Institute (IPI) recalled that some weeks ago, the Nigerian military abducted a journalist, Segun Olatunji, in a Gestapo manner in Lagos and flew him to Abuja under humiliating conditions in apparent violation of his rights to dignity and expression.

‘With the two incidents cited above, a pattern has emerged that points to the fact that the administration of President Bola Tinubu does not only condone repression of freedom of the press but also encourage it, in contradiction of promises made during the president’s inaugural speech that his administration would uphold fundamental human rights’, the institute said.

‘We have always stated, and it bears repeating that in a democratic setting, the proper step to take is to follow due process in seeking remedies against journalists. 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.

Penpushing also reports that in the statement issued by President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee called on President Tinubu to sanction the Inspector General of the Police, having failed to lead by example, stressing that nobody is above the law.

‘Human rights violations have continued unabated because perpetrators are hardly held to account. It is time to begin holding those suppressing freedom of expression to account.  Daniel Ojukwu should be released immediately, or else the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, will be included in IPI Nigeria’s book of infamy and branded an enemy of the media and journalists. His inclusion on the list carries serious consequences beyond the shores of Nigeria.

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