Press Freedom Group Condemns Police Harassment Of Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has strongly condemned the intimidation, harassment, and repeated detention of journalist and publisher, Azuka Ogujiuba, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Ogujiuba, who runs Media Room Hub and is a former journalist with ThisDay Newspapers, was reportedly arrested and detained twice over her coverage of a land dispute court case.
Despite being Lagos-based, she has been summoned to Abuja multiple times, raising concerns over targeted harassment.
In a statement issued through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ-Hub), IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, described the police actions as “highly condemnable,” insisting that law enforcement and the Federal Government must uphold freedom of expression and stop using security agencies to punish journalists.
“If the Police has anything against Azuka Ogujiuba or if she has committed any crime, the right and lawful step should be taken, not subjecting her to constant harassment,” Arogundade said.
SPJ-Hub has now called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to guarantee Ogujiuba’s safety and put an end to what it described as intimidation and abuse of power.
