NIGERIAN Police authorities have released Daniel Ojukwu, the detained journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Ojukwu, who went missing with his phone numbers switched off and whereabouts unknown to colleagues until it was found out he was detained by the police, regained his freedom on Friday.
“Daniel Ojukwu, the FIJ reporter who was abducted by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police, has regained freedom after 10 days in police captivity,” the FIJ wrote on its website about Ojukwu’s release.
“Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday, May 1, his numbers switched off and his whereabouts unknown to colleagues, family and friends.”
He was held for allegedly violating the country’s Cybercrime Act, often criticized as a tool for censorship.
The journalist’s arrest and subsequent transfer to the Nigerian capital of Abuja followed his report about alleged financial mismanagement of over N147 million ($104,600) involving a senior government official, according to his employer.
Following his arrest, friends, colleagues, and others drummed up support for Ojukwu, calling for his release.
On Thursday, a coalition of media and civil society groups protested his continued detention at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
While addressing journalists, the spokesperson of the group, Bukky Shonibare, said the recent surge in attacks on press freedom and the silencing of dissenting voices is becoming alarming.
She said that after nine days in detention after forcefully arresting Ojukwu on alleged orders of the inspector general of police, the police are duty bound to file charges against him or release him unconditionally.
Upon Ojokwu’s release, an excited Bukky took to her X handle, thanking Nigerians for their support.
“Daniel Ojukwu is out. Thank you, Nigerians,” she posted. “Thank you, everyone.”
