The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has “in the strongest terms” condemned the arrest and detention of Premium Times Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe, on Tuesday, and his detention at the facility of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its National President, Abdulwaheed Odusile, NUJ said: “The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemns today, the arrest and detention of Samuel Ogundipe by FSARS in Abuja.

“Samuel Ogundipe was arrested for reporting on a report sent to the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on the sacked and detained DG of SSS, Malam Lawal Daura.

“The NUJ is horrified by the constant harassment and molestation of Journalists by the Police and other Agents of the State and requests that such should abate forthwith.

“It should be noted that confidentiality of sources is necessary for good journalism to flourish and Journalists should not be coerced into revealing such sources.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Samuel Ogundipe, and an end to all forms of impunity against the media.”

Similarly, the International Press Centre in Lagos has said it is outraged by the detention of Mr. Ogundipe, as well as the harassment of the newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, and Education Reporter, Azeezat Adedigba.

While Mojeed and Adedigba were released after being arrested, detained and harassed, Ogundipe was still being held as at the time of this report.

In a statement, IPC said it is particularly dismayed that the Police authorities want Ogundipe to disclose the source of information over a story published by the newspaper on a correspondence between IGP Ibrahim Idris, and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on the dismissed Director General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura.

Daura was dismissed and ordered arrested last week by Osinbajo for authorising the deployment of DSS operatives to the National Assembly.

In the statement by its Director, Lanre Arogundade, the IPC said: “This, to us, is a clear assault on press freedom and a clear threat to the safety of the detained journalist and his colleagues.

“The Police Authorities are also hereby reminded that the Freedom of Information Act, a federal law, enacted in 2011, in Section 16 subsection C confers on the media 'Journalism Confidentiality Privileges' and as such should desist from engaging in unconstitutional acts.

“We condemn the arrests and detention of the concerned journalists and hereby demand the immediate release of Mr. Ogundipe.”

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