Worried over the spate of harassment of journalists in the guise of making arrest by the Nigerian Police, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Council has called for the immediate release of the Editor in Chief of the Globalupfront Newspaper, Mr Madu Onuorah.
Onuorah was on Wednesday, May 22 whisked away from his residence by the men of the Nigeria Police Force at about 6pm, in Lugbe, Abuja.
The NUJ in a statement jointly signed by Òsárétín Òsádébàmwén, Chairman of Council and Ochiaka Ugwu, Secretary of Council condemned the home raiding of the editor.
‘’While we are not averse to the right of citizens seeking redress over legitimate infringement on their right, we believe that constitutional means should be strictly adhered to in doing this.
A condemnable case in point is the commando like raiding of the home of Mr. Madu Onuorah, Editor-in-Chief of the Globalupfront Newspaper (Online).’’
The media group emphasized the need for professionalism in the Police Force as the manner of the editor’s arrest looked more like kidnapping.
‘’ The manner of arrest leaves much to be desired from a legitimate force of the State, the Nigeria Police which should have been civil instead of intimidating and forcefully whisking away Mr. Onuorah in a manner akin to kidnapping.
We condemn this total abuse of power laced with intimidation and demand the immediate release of Mr. Madu Onuorah, Editor of the Conclave newspaper, an online platform’’the group stated.
Calling for the immediate release of the Editor following the constitution, the union attested that Mr Madu Onuorah is a thoroughbred professional.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to holding the government and its institution accountable to the people
“The former Bureau Chief of the Guardian Newspaper, and Managing Director of the Authority Newspaper is a thoroughbred professional.’’
On this. we insist that where any citizen or organisation believe he has a case to answer, then the constitutional path should be activated and followed.
Let it be known that NUJ will never stop holding the government and its institutions accountable for the people ‘’ the media group added.
