Atiku berates Tinubu govt over arrest of FIJ reporter, says clampdown connected to exposure of notorious smuggler link to top officials of the administration

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded the release from detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) recently arrested by the police.

The police has yet to issue any statement on the reason for the arrest of Ojukwu since May 1.

In a reaction to the arrest, Atiku said it may not be unconnected to the groundbreaking investigation carried out by FIJ on the connivance of senior government officials with smugglers.

Recall that FIJ published series of investigative reports on Customs and its alleged links with one Ibrahim Egungbohun, popularly known as IBD Dende

In one video published by FIJ, IBD Dende was seen almost assaulting a Customs officer in the full glare of other AK47-bearing officers because the man allegedly intercepted his smuggled consignments. “Why didn’t you arrest your Oga’s four trailer loads of rice at Seme,” IBD Dende was heard reprimanding the officer.

Atiku, in a statement said the arrest of Ojukwu two days after the world press freedom day, speaks volumes on the character of the administration to press freedom.

He said: “Two days ago, on the occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, a minister of this administration boasted that no journalist had been incarcerated by this administration. That was before the detention of Daniel Ojukwu of @fijnigeria. The arrest of Ojukwu may not be unconnected with the groundbreaking investigative works of the independent Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) that has exposed alleged high profile smuggler with links to top officials of this administration.

“I wish to also remind of the arrest and detention of Segun Olatunji of FirstNews Newspaper and Chinonso Uba aka Nonso Ukwa of Oziza FM Radio. It is not only irresponsible to arrest journalists for exposing the ills that abound in this government, it is also a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed #FreePress. That the arrest of Ojukwu came barely 48 hours after the observance of the World Press Freedom Day, speaks volumes of the character of the Tinubu administration to freedom of the press. The least that is expected of the relevant authorities is to #FreeOjukwu.”