The Nigerian Wailers has expressed it displeasure over the incessant
attacks on the media organizations by the security forces.
The group in a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity
Secretary, Ibrahim Ringim on Wednesday said that his group condemns in
totality the arrest of Premium Times Journalist, Mr Samuel Ogundipe
followed by freezing of his bank account.
Wailers has called on the inspector general of police to exercise restrain
in the spirit of democracy and set Samuel free, also calling for the
freedom of other journalists illegally detained across the country, asked
further to free Jones Abiri, a local news publisher arrested in Bayelsa
state two years ago.
The group warns that the continuous clamp down on media organizations and
it’s member is dangerous, stated further that a Democratic Republic like
Nigeria whose system of government is democracy must not go against “Press
Freedom”. Also stated that forcing Samuel to disclose the source of his
news item is against the ethics of journalism.
The group said its members worldwide were in celebration mode over the
victory recorded due push by one of its member Mr Segun Awosanya who
championed the #ENDSARS and #ReformPOLICE campaign which later made the
Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to pronounce and ordered a reform
in the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), a nightmare to the Nigerian
citizens especially the youths.
The group expressed disappointment that same day the President ordered the
reform, police decided to use SARS to illegally arrest and detained
Samuel, who was doing his job as an investigative report with Premium
Times, over a leaked memo exchange between the IG of police and Ag.
President.
Wailers has however called on the Acting President, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo to wade into the matter urgently, canvassing that the illegality
and abuse of powers should not be tolerated from any agency, department or
any government related ministries.
The group has also called on all Nigerians to stand together in the face
of this undemocratic threats and clamp down by the security forces on
media houses and citizens urging the local and international human right
bodies to join in demanding for the release of arrested journalists in
Nigeria.