The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has demanded the immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action. IPI threatened to blacklist Egbetokun, branding him an enemy of the media and journalists if Ojukwu is not released promptly.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of the Institute, Musikilu Mojeed, and legal adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee, Tobi Soniyi on Saturday, they criticized the abduction of Ojukwu by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police, highlighting the alarming trend regarding the safety of journalists in the country. The statement condemned the Nigerian Police Force’s actions, asserting that they contradict the promises made by President Bola Tinubu during his inaugural speech to uphold fundamental human rights.
IPI Nigeria urged the Inspector General of Police to order Ojukwu’s immediate release, emphasizing the importance of due process and democratic principles in dealing with journalists. The statement called on President Tinubu to sanction the Inspector General of Police for failing to uphold human rights and stressed the need for accountability for human rights violations. Failure to release Ojukwu would result in Egbetokun’s inclusion in IPI Nigeria’s “book of infamy,” with serious consequences.