After a 10-day ordeal, journalist Daniel Ojukwu has been released from police custody. Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police on May 1.
His disappearance sparked a search by colleagues, family, and friends, with FIJ reporting him missing to local police stations.
According to the FIJ, lawyers and negotiators, including Omoyele Sowore, Jide Oyekunle, and Bukky Shonibare, secured his release after intense pressure and a march to the Force Headquarters by civil society organizations.
Abimbola Ojenike, FIJ’s attorney, condemned the police’s actions, stating, “Daniel Ojukwu’s case is a grave violation of human rights and police powers. We will not let this go unchallenged. The constitutional right to free speech is at risk if journalists cannot expose government malfeasance without fear of oppression.”
A private detective later traced his last known location to an address in Isheri Olofin, where it is believed he was initially detained.
Ojukwu’s family discovered he was being held at Panti police station, where he was accused of violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.
He was later transferred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja and then to the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
