FIJ reporter freed after hours in police detention on World Press Freedom Day

Ojukwu Daniel, an FIJ reporter, was released after being held for hours in police custody.

Adebola Ajayi • May 4, 2023

Ojukwu Daniel and police officer

Ojukwu Daniel, a reporter with Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was released after being held for hours in police custody.

Mr Ojukwu tweeted that he had been freed and thanked people for speaking against police impunity.

“Thanks to the good people of @fijnigeria, and everyone who spoke up against impunity. Happy World Press “Freedom” Day. I’m free now,” @Mazi_OJD tweeted.

According to FIJ, Mr Ojukwu was arrested while performing his duties in Lagos on Wednesday, which happened to be World Press Freedom Day.

The newspaper said officers attached to the Area F Police Station in Ikeja, Lagos, arrested Mr Ojukwu after he asked them to stop punching a driver.

“One of them was punching a driver, and I called him out and told him he was wrong. I called the police spokesperson and gave them the phone to talk to him,” Mr Ojukwu said. “Afterwards, they seized my phone and identity card and took me to their police station.”

However, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesman in Lagos, could not be reached immediately for comment on the matter.

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