By Abubakar Yunusa
Police officers seized the mobile phone of Jide Oyekunle, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT chapter, while he was covering ongoing protests.
Oyekunle, a journalist with Daily Independent Newspaper, alleged that FCT Commissioner of Police, Beneth Igwe, personally confiscated his phone and ordered the arrest of journalists at Eagle Square, Abuja.
In an interview, he explained, “We were coming from the National Stadium and upon reaching Eagle Square, the police, led by the FCT Commissioner of Police, came after journalists.
“Without committing any crime, I was covering protests when he ordered my arrest. He personally collected my phone, which he still has.
“It was the intervention of other journalists who drew attention to my position as the NUJ Chairman that prevented my arrest. This suppression of press freedom while we carry out our constitutional duties is unfair.”
