The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of an online newspaper, Global Upfront Newspaper, Mr. Madu Onuorah, was taken into custody by the Nigerian Police Force on Wednesday, May 22, at around 6:00 p.m.
This arrest occurred barely a week after another editor was released.
Onuorah was apprehended at his residence in Lugbe, Abuja, by 10 fully-armed officers who arrived in two Sienna buses.
The arrest took place in the presence of his wife and children, who demanded an explanation but were ignored.
Onuorah’s phones were seized, cutting off his communication. He was not allowed to contact his lawyer or any relatives before being taken to the Lugbe police station.
To prevent Onuorah from getting attention or bail, the officers who arrested him, though not affiliated with the Lugbe police station, left him there without providing any information to his friends or family.
The management of Globalupfront Newspaper issued a statement demanding Onuorah’s immediate and unconditional release.
They emphasized that Onuorah, a seasoned journalist and former Abuja bureau chief of The Guardian, operates within the law.
They argued that any grievances against him should be addressed in court, not through police intimidation.
The newspaper described Onuorah’s detention as a serious violation of his fundamental rights and an ongoing assault on freedom of expression, which has become frequent in Nigeria.
Confirming the arrest, DSP Joshua Ukandu, spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, stated that Onuorah was arrested based on a petition from the Enugu command and was being transferred to Enugu.
Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, Benneth Igweh, indicated that Onuorah’s arrest was conducted by the Ebonyi State Police Command as part of an investigation, adding that journalists are not immune to arrest and are partners in fighting crime.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the arrest, calling it a blatant violation of human rights and press freedom. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed deep concern over the incident.
