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Amnesty International has joined the call for the release of
Premium Times reporter in Police detention, Samuel Ogundipe.
AI lamented that the order came from the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and warned security agencies in Nigeria to stop disregarding human rights.
The newspaper, groups and some prominent Nigerians have issued separate statements condemning the arrest.
Ogundipe was arrested for refusing to disclose the source to a story which Premium Times explained was also published by many other media houses.
Reacting in a statement sent to DAILY POST, AI Nigeria Director, Osai Ojigho, said: “The Nigeria police must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Samuel Ogundipe, who has been in unlawful police detention since yesterday.
“Reports that police detained Samuel Ogundipe with the intention of forcing him to reveal his sources are extremely disturbing and illustrate the level of harassment and intimidation that Nigerian journalists face.
“The duty of journalists is not to please the authorities – it is to share information in the interest of the public, and forcing journalists to reveal their sources is illegal.
“The directive for the arrest of Samuel Ogundipe reportedly came directly from the Inspector General of Police. The Nigeria police should focus their attention on maintaining law and order and allow journalists to perform their jobs free from fear of reprisals.
“The arrest of Samuel Ogundipe is part of a concerted crackdown on the Premium Times and its staff by Nigeria police. On Monday, police physically assaulted Editor in Chief Muskilu Mojeed and briefly detained reporter Azeezat Adedigba.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to respect and ensure human rights and instruct their agencies to desist from harassing and intimidating Premium Times staff and other journalists and media organizations.”
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