IPC Condems Unlawful Arrest Of Four Journalists During Protest In Lagos

By: Okosun Dennis

The International Press Centre, (IPC), has condemned in strong terms the unlawful arrest of four journalists who were covering
the peaceful protest on the fuel price increase in Yaba, Lagos State
on Thursday.

The arrested journalists were identified as: Ifeoluwa Adediran, (Premium Times), Abiodun Ayeoba, (Sahara Reporters), Awoniyi Oluwatosin, (Objective Media) and Daniel Tanimu, (Galaxy Television).

Confirming the arrest of the newsmen in a statement, the Program Officer/Safety Desk Officer, IPC, Melody Akinjiyan said the spokesperson for the organizers of the protest – the Socialist Party of Nigeria, Comrade Hassan Soweto, who was equally arrested said that “the cameras and phones of the journalists were seized while they were taken to the Lagos State Police Command.”

IPC frowned at the Gestapo method with which all the journalists were arrested while carrying out their legitimate duties and causing harm to their working tools.

In his statement affirmed, “IPC disapproves the harassment and brutalization of the journalists in the course of legitimate duty and particularly decries the seizure and damage to their working tools.”

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists. The Police should also return their seized gadgets and pay compensation for the damaged ones.

“IPC reiterates that the right to peacefully assemble and ventilate grievances over government policies is covered by the laws of the federation and should not be tampered with arbitrarily.

However, when Nationalwire online contacted one of the arrested Journalists, Ifeoluwa Adediran of Premium Times, she confirmed their arrest explaining that they were forced into their truck before they took them to Police Headquarters, Ikeja.

According to her, “We had our identity on but they still went ahead and arrested us. We were detained for over two hours. I left their office past 2pm. Our colleagues who tried to stop them from arresting us were beaten with sticks and iron rod.

“Some of the protesters they arrested were taken to the taskforce office at Oshodi while we were taken to Police Command, Ikeja. The operation was led by one Fatai from Area C. He was merciless and shouted at his men to arrest us claiming he was doing his job.”

Asked if they shown any remorse when they were set free, she said no. “They were unapologetic. They seized our phones and cameras but later released it to us. They gave us no reason why they arrested us as Journalists,” Ifeoluwa reiterated.

Attempts to reach the spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi failed as his phone was switched off.