Nigerian journalism faced another serious challenge on Wednesday when police operatives arrested Mr. Madu Onuorah, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Globalupfront Newspaper (Online). Onuorah was taken into custody around 6 pm by ten fully-armed police officers who arrived at his residence in Lugbe, Abuja, in two Sienna buses.
The arrest occurred in the presence of Onuorah’s wife and children, who desperately sought an explanation from the police for the head of the family’s detention. Despite their pleas, the officers did not provide any reason for the arrest. Adding to the family’s distress, the police confiscated Onuorah’s phones, severing his communication with the outside world, including his legal counsel and relatives. He was taken to the Lugbe police station without any opportunity to inform his lawyer or family.
Compounding the issue, the arresting officers, who were not affiliated with the Lugbe Police Station, left Onuorah there without providing any details, leaving his friends and family unable to trace or reach the responsible officers.
The management of Globalupfront Newspapers has vehemently condemned the arrest, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Madu Onuorah. In their statement, they highlighted Onuorah’s extensive experience and reputable career in journalism, noting his former roles as Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper and Managing Director of The AUTHORITY Newspaper. They emphasized that Onuorah operates strictly within the law.
“Anyone with issues against Mr. Onuorah should pursue legal action in court, rather than turning the Nigerian Police into a Gestapo outfit that intimidates a man in front of his family,” the management asserted. They further argued that every moment Onuorah spends in police custody is a significant violation of his fundamental rights and part of a disturbing trend of assaults on freedom of expression in Nigeria.
As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian police have yet to issue a statement confirming or denying the arrest of the editor, leaving the circumstances of his detention shrouded in uncertainty and raising serious concerns about the state of press freedom in the country.
