Isaac Bristol, widely recognized as the microblogger and leak journalist behind the alias @PIDOMNigeria, faced severe mistreatment by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following his arrest on August 5, as reported by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
On Friday, a coalition of activists, including Omoyele Sowore, David Hundeyin, Raphael Adebayo, Deji Adeyanju, and FIJ, confirmed that Bristol was being held at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). His detention followed an operation by the National Cybercrime Center (NCCC), which tracked him down and forcibly took him from a location in southeastern Nigeria.
Bristol recounted his harrowing experience to the team, revealing that the police detained him in solitary confinement for at least six days within an anti-kidnapping unit before transferring him to another facility. Ultimately, he was moved to the FCID’s custody.
Deji Adeyanju, who visited Bristol in custody on Friday, shared details of their conversation in an interview with FIJ. Adeyanju recounted how Bristol described the manner in which police stormed his home. “He told us they came like armed robbers,” Adeyanju said. “About 15 policemen in plain clothes broke into his house and dragged him away as if he were a criminal.”
According to Adeyanju, Bristol was subjected to harsh conditions, including being thrown into a hole at the anti-kidnapping unit, where he was denied food, water, and human contact. Bristol remained in solitary confinement for at least six days, all while being handcuffed, which left bruises on his wrists. The police also barred him from contacting a lawyer or his family.
Adeyanju further noted that Bristol was still wearing the same clothes he had on when the police arrested him, now for at least 18 days.
The police have set stringent bail conditions, demanding two level 16 civil servants who own landed property worth at least N500 million in Abuja to stand as sureties. FIJ has learned that the police plan to bring charges against Bristol in court on Monday.
When FIJ contacted Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, on Friday afternoon, he claimed to be unaware of the situation but promised to follow up. As of the time of publication, he had not provided any further information.
Bristol’s arrest first came to light when David Hundeyin shared details of his communication with someone claiming to be connected to the microblogger.
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