The International Press Centre’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Madu Onuorah, the Editor-in-Chief of Global Upfront. Onuorah was reportedly taken by Nigerian Police Force officers around 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from his home in Lugbe, FCT Abuja.
IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, made a public appeal on Thursday, calling for Onuorah’s release. Arogundade also requested support from national, regional, and international media freedom organizations, freedom of expression groups, and human rights bodies to advocate for press freedom in Nigeria.
The IPC emphasized that Onuorah has not been charged in court, underscoring the urgency of his release. According to the IPC, the police detained Onuorah in the presence of his family, who demanded to know the reason for the arrest but received no explanation. He was reportedly not permitted to contact his lawyer or relatives before being taken to the Lugbe Police Station.
Arogundade expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on the media and the alarming rate of journalist arrests in Nigeria. He stressed that any grievances against Onuorah should be addressed through legal channels rather than through police action that infringes on his fundamental rights.
