Relief International Africa & Civil-Military Police and Paramilitary Relations condemns the actions of the Nigeria Police which occurred on Tuesday the 16th day of January 2024 by 2:40 pm where the Police from Abia state Command stormed into the a television station ABN TV to arrest a guest Mr. Donald Udensi during a live show and destroying the TV station equipment during the arrest.
This action shows no respect to the independence of the media no matter the circumstances.
The Inspector General of Police needs to address these ugly incidents never to happen again and hold accountable those responsible for the unlawful arrest and destruction of property of the TV station in Abia State.
The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, must immediately be redeployed by the IGP as these actions under his watch are capable of destroying the police image and relationship with the citizens
Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society, enabling the dissemination of information and fostering informed public discourse. The actions of the Nigeria Police in forcefully arresting a guest on a live television show and damaging the equipment of ABN TV undermine the principles of freedom of expression and the role of the media as a watchdog for the public.
We urge the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. It is crucial that law enforcement agencies understand and respect the rights of the media, even in challenging situations.
Thus, we call upon the Nigerian government to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the independence of the media and ensuring the safety and security of journalists and media personnel. Journalists play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable, and it is essential that they are able to carry out their work without fear of harassment or retribution.
We stand in solidarity with ABN TV in Abia State and all media organizations in Nigeria, and we reiterate our condemnation of the actions taken by the overzealous men of the Nigeria Police in Abia State. We call for immediate measures to be put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to protect the freedom of the press in Nigeria.
Yours Sincerely,
Amb. Green Isaac (AFP, AIPM)
Executive Director,
Relief International Africa & Sec. Gen Civil Rights Council Nigeria
Coordinator Civil-Military Police and Paramilitary Relations Nigeria