FIJ journalist Daniel Ojukwu's abduction by police sparks concerns over press freedom. Held at SCID Panti, Lagos, his whereabouts were initially unknown. The incident raises parallels to past police harassment against FIJ and its founder, Fisayo Soyombo. Authorities are accused of violating Ojukwu's rights on World Press Freedom Day.
Amid growing concerns over press freedom in Nigeria, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has reportedly been abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Ojukwu's disappearance on May 1 raised alarm among colleagues and family, prompting FIJ to initiate a missing person report. However, subsequent investigations led by a private detective hired by FIJ revealed that Ojukwu's last active location was traced to an address in Isheri Olofin, suspected to be where the police picked him up.
Shockingly, Ojukwu's family discovered that he is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti in Lagos, accused of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act. Despite their efforts, authorities have denied access to Ojukwu and declined to provide contact details of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) citing jurisdictional grounds.
The situation has escalated concerns about press freedom in Nigeria, especially as Ojukwu's detention coincides with World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the ongoing persecution of FIJ by the police.
