Police Abducts Daily Post Correspondent, Two Other Journalists In Warri

By Phil Abha

Men of the Nigerian Police, Warri Command in a commando style abducted three journalists from the NUJ Press Centre, Warri Delta State today without disclosure of their offences.

The police in their patrol van drove to the office at about 4:30pm and arrested one Mr. Omonigho Matthew of Daily Post online newspapers and sped off.

The leadership of the union directed two other journalists, Mr. Edeki Igafe, a staff of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Mr. Francis Sadhere with the National Reformer and one Christopher to go to the Area Commander’s office, Warri following calls from Matthew Omonigho where he was being detained.

In not less than 30 minutes, news flew to our office that the two journalists and Christopher who were sent by the union to rescue their member were also detained.

We could not tell the offences for which the journalists were arrested as the police has not answered any inquiry.

This is contrary to the position of Section 6(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which says anyone arrested should be told the offence.

When Daily Watch called the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa to know why journalists are being harassed in the state by the police, he did not respond to our calls and text messages sent to his phone.

Meanwhile, the state NUJ Council Chairman, Mr. Michael Ikeogwu has frowned at how security operatives manhandle journalists in the state.