Nigerian leaders have joined Amnesty International in condemning the arrest and detention of Samuel Ogundipe, a Premium Times reporter who has refused to reveal the source of a confidential piece of information used in writing a story.
Ogundipe was arrested and detained Tuesday, August 14 by police officers.
The arrest has elicited condemnation from concerned individuals calling for the unconditional release of Ogundipe with the hashtag #FreeSamuelOgundipe trending on Twitter.
Below is a list of Nigerian political leaders and organisations joining the condemnation and call for the release:
Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria:
“The arrest and detention of @PremiumTimesng’s reporter by @PoliceNG for his refusal to disclose his source to a story raises serious concerns about the preservation of the confidentiality of sources. I call for the protection of press freedom as guaranteed by our constitution,”
Shehu Sani, the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District:
“I stand for Samuel Ogundipe and I call for his unconditional release. Free press is the fortress and the Bastion of democracy.@PremiumTimesng @AmnestyNigeria”
Ayodele Fayose, outgoing governor of Ekiti State
The arrest and detention of Samuel Ogundipe of @PremiumTimesng by the police must be condemned by all lovers of freedom of speech and of the press. I join other well-meaning Nigerians to call for his immediate release. #FreeSamuelOgundipe
Fani Kayode, former Nigeria minister of Aviation
“I urge @ProfOsinbajo to order the release of Samuel Ogundipe of @PremiumTimesng. I urge him to order the release of Sheik El Zak Zaky and Col. Sambo Dasuki. I urge him to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist organisation, order the arrest its leaders and bring them all to justice.”
Amnesty International, a London-based non-governmental organisation focused on human rights:
“The Nigerian police must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Samuel Ogundipe, who has been in unlawful police detention since yesterday. #FreeSamuelOgundipe @PremiumTimesng @PoliceNG @ProfOsinbajo”
Fredrick Nwabufo, journalist:
“Our democracy is not only under threat when senators are assaulted; it is under threat when any citizen is a victim of state assault. IGP Idris is a potent threat to this democracy. #freeSamuelOgundipe”
“Dear @ProfOsinbajo, on the very day you set the ball rolling on reforming SARS, the same SARS have detained a journalist, @SamuelOgundipe of @PremiumTimesng, and are trying to force him to reveal his source for a story. #freeSamuelOgundipe”
#FreeSamuelOgundipe should go hand in hand with #FireTheIG !