Groups storm police headquarters in Abuja, demand release of detained journalist, Daniel Ojukwu

Some Civil Society Organisations on Thursday, May 9, 2024, stormed the Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding the release of a detained journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daniel Ojukwu. 

The journalist was arrested following his report about alleged financial mismanagement of over N147m (1$104,600) involving a senior government official.

Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, with his phone numbers turned off and his whereabouts unknown but it was later revealed that he was arrested for allegedly violating the cybercrime Act.

He was moved to the National Cybercrime Centre, in Abuja, on Sunday, by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun. 

The protesters include journalists, Pro-democracy activist Deji Adeyanju; and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, among others. 

The protesters carried banners with the inscriptions, ‘Free Daniel Ojukwu,’ ‘No to a police state,’ Journalism is not a crime,’ and ‘Stop the impunity.” 

While addressing journalists, the spokesperson of the group, Bukky Shonibare, said the recent surge in attacks on press freedom and the silencing of dissenting voices is becoming alarming. 

She said that after nine days in detention, the police are duty bound to file charges against him or release him unconditionally.