The Enugu State Police Command has clarified the arrest of the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Globalupfront Newspaper (Online), Madu Onuorah at his Abuja home dismissing claims of abduction.
According to DSP Daniel Ndukwe, Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, Onuorah was apprehended in Abuja with the assistance from the Ebonyi State Command after he failed to respond to formal invitations.
Although Mr. Onuorah has been released on bail by police authorities, ActionAid Nigeria condemned his arrest and detention asserting: “It is deeply troubling that the police, who are entrusted with the duty to protect and uphold the law, are increasingly becoming instruments of intimidation and oppression against the media. This pattern of harassing, arresting, and detaining journalists must stop immediately.”
Continuing, Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, stated on Thursday: “The Inspector General of Police must be aware that the actions of the policemen are now unbecoming and unacceptable. The sight of ten fully armed policemen storming Mr. Madu Onuorah’s home, arresting him in front of his distraught family, and then denying him access to communication and legal representation is both alarming and unacceptable. Such behaviour is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes and has no place in a democratic society.
“The ongoing crackdown on the press is an affront to democratic principles and undermines the media’s critical role in holding power accountable.”
According to the Enugu State Command Spokesman, the arrest was prompted by a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, alleging that Onuorah had published a defamatory content about a US-based Reverend Sister.
Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu has reportedly ordered a comprehensive and professional investigation to ensure justice was served.
The Enugu State Police Command has also called for patience from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Onuorah’s associates, assuring them that the matter would be handled appropriately.
