The Dele Atunbi Consultation Team has called for the immediate release of an Imo state based journalist, Mr. Chononso Uba, who was said to have been arrested by the operatives of the Imo State Police Command on October 20, 2024.
According to the Team, journalism is not a crime and therefore urged the Imo State Police Command to uphold constitutional guarantees of free expression and press freedom.
The Team stressed the need for the Nigerian security operatives to always honor the domestic and international human rights commitments, while its notes that the said journalist is currently being detained at the State Police Headquarters and yet to be arraigned in a court
The Team decried any form of harassment of journalists, and called on the police to see journalists as partners in progress for the betterment of the society.
“There is the need therefore, for strong synergy and a good working relationship between the two organs in the course of their duties at all times.”
The Team equally urged government at all levels to take the protection of journalists serious, and ensure that journalists and journalism practice are not suppressed in the line of their duty.
