In a show of solidarity, several Civil Society Organisations and journalists converged at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist currently detained by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
Among the demonstrators were notable figures such as legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju and Pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore, who also contested as a presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
The protest gained traction as images and videos circulated widely on social media platforms, depicting demonstrators carrying banners emblazoned with messages such as ‘Free Daniel Ojukwu,’ ‘No to a police state,’ ‘Journalism is not a crime,’ and ‘Stop the impunity.’
Ojukwu’s detention occurred following his transfer to the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.
Concerns escalated when Ojukwu went missing on May 1, with his phone unreachable, leaving colleagues, family, and friends in the dark about his whereabouts. Despite efforts by FIJ to report him missing at local police stations, his location remained undisclosed.
Expressing condemnation for the incident, journalist Soyombo highlighted ongoing efforts to secure Ojukwu’s release, describing his abduction as “disturbing.”
