Atiku, Shehu Sani, Fani-Kayode react to arrest of Premium Times reporter, Samuel Ogundipe

The Nigerian police, through the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), on Tuesday reportedly arrested and detained Samuel Ogundipe, who covers the security sector for Premium Times, over a report a the organisation published on the probe of Lawal Daura, sacked Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The police had reportedly asked Ogundipe to disclose how he obtained the letter used for a story but the journalist declined in line with the ethics of journalism.  

However, speaking on the reported arrest, the police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said he was not aware of details of the arrest.

Moshood, who spoke on Wednesday during AIT’s breakfast programme, Kakaaki, however pointed out that no Nigerian is beyond being invited by the police when an investigation is being carried out.

“I am not aware of the details of the matter. But what I can say is that any Nigerian, whether a journalist or any member of the public can be invited by an investigating officer to come around so that he or she can clear themselves of any allegations against them. Since you are telling me now, I will find out exactly what is happening,” Moshood said.

Many Nigerians, activists, lawyers and groups have called for the unconditional and immediate release of the reporter who is still in detention as at press time.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, reacting via Twitter page, expressed concerns over the arrest of Ogundipe, and called for the protection of press freedom.

“The arrest and detention of @PremiumTimesng’s reporter by @PoliceNG for his refusal to disclose his source to a story raises serious concerns about the preservation of the confidentiality of sources. I call for the protection of press freedom as guaranteed by our constitution,” Atiku tweeted.

Senator Shehu Sani also took to his Twitter page  to call for the journalist’s release, stressing that the press is the fortress and the bastion of democracy.

His tweet reads, “I stand for Samuel Ogundipe and I call for his unconditional release.Free press is the fortress and the Bastion of democracy.@PremiumTimesng @AmnestyNigeria”

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode also called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to order the release the reporter.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain also called on Osinbajo to release former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist organisation.

On his Twitter page, Fani-Kayode wrote: “I urge Prof Osinbajo to order the release of Samuel Ogundipe of @PremiumTimesng.

“I urge him to order the release of Sheik El Zak Zaky and Col. Sambo Dasuki. I urge him to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist organisation, order the arrest its leaders and bring them all to justice.”

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has also asked the police to release Samuel Ogundipe

The NUJ in statement signed by its National President, Abdulwaheed Odusile, said it was horrified by the constant harassment and molestation of journalists by the police and other agents of the state and requested that such should abate forthwith.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemns in the strongest terms the arrest and detention of Premium Times Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe today by the police and his detention at the facility of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS in Abuja,” the statement read.

“Samuel Ogundipe was arrested for reporting on the report sent to the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on the sacked and detained DG of DSS, Malam Lawal Daura.

“The NUJ is horrified by the constant harassment and molestation of journalists by the police and other agents of the state and requests that such should abate forthwith.

“It should be noted that confidentiality of sources is necessary for good journalism to flourish and journalists should not be coerced into revealing such sources.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Samuel Ogundipe and an end to all forms of impunity against the media.”