Miss. Kasarahchi Aniagolu, a journalist working with the Whistler Newspaper has been harassed and detained by police operatives in Abuja for covering the recent clamp down by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Bureau de Change operators in Abuja.
Despite identifying her self as a journalist, Aniagolu was assaulted by police operatives on Wednesday 21st and her working tools confiscated, thus whisked away to Anti-Violence Crime Unit (formerly known as SARS).
Confirming Ms. Aniagolu’s arrest, the Management of the WHISTLER Newspaper in a statement condemned the act which they said it an abuse of fundamental rights of the citizens and a clear abuse of freedom of information.
“The WHISTLER Newspapers strongly condemn in strongest terms, the unlawful arrest,assault, and ongoing detention of our reporter, Kasarahchi ANIAGOLU, by officers of the Nigerian Police Force operating within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”.
“Ms. Aniagolu was performing her journalistic duties while filming a raid on Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in Wuse Zone 4 on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Despite clearly identifying herself as a journalist, she was manhandled and threatened, and
her equipment was confiscated. She is currently being held at the Anti-Violence Crime Unit (former SARS office) in Guzape”, the organization said in the statement.
Expressing disaffection over continued intimidation and harassment of journalists by police and other state actors, the statement said the police themselves are not truthful on why they arrested her.
“We are deeply disturbed by the complete disregard for press freedom by the Nigerian Police Force and the blatant violation of Ms. Aniagolu’s fundamental rights. The physical assault and threats to her life are utterly unacceptable and a direct attack on independent journalism”.
“Furthermore, the conflicting statements regarding the operation from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)headquarters and the FCT Police Command raise serious concerns about accountability and transparency. The respective authorities’ blatant denial of the operation further highlights the need for a
thorough investigation into this undemocratic incident”, it added.
Demanding for immediate release of the journalist and unreserved apology from the Nigerian Police Force, the WHISTLER said there is the urgent need for authorities concerned to uphold the fundamental rights of journalists and to guarantee their safety.
“We call for a swift and transparent investigation into her unlawful arrest, assault, and detention. Those responsible for these actions must also be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law”.
“We urge all relevant authorities to uphold the fundamental rights of journalists and ensure
their safety and freedom to report without fear or intimidation”, it added.
WikkiTimes recalled that this is not the first time the police in Nigeria, harassed and detained journalists for carrying out their legitimate duties.
