NUJ blows hot over arrest of Premium Times reporter, Ogundipe

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has asked the police to release
Samuel Ogundipe, a Premium Times reporter, with immediate effect.

The police arrested Ogundipe on Wednesday over a report the
organisation published on the sack of Lawal Daura, former
director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The police had reportedly asked Ogundipe to disclose how he obtained
the letter used for a story but the journalist declined in line with
the ethics of the profession.

The NUJ in statement signed by its National President, Abdulwaheed
Odusile, said it was horrified by the constant harassment and
molestation of journalists by the police and other agents of the state
and requested that such should abate forthwith.

"The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemns in the strongest terms the
arrest and detention of Premium Times Reporter, Samuel Ogundipe today
by the police and his detention at the facility of the Special Anti
Robbery Squad, SARS in Abuja," the statement read.

"Samuel Ogundipe was arrested for reporting on the report sent to the
Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo by the Inspector General of
Police, Ibrahim Idris on the sacked and detained DG of DSS, Malam
Lawal Daura.

"The NUJ is horrified by the constant harassment and molestation of
journalists by the police and other agents of the state and requests
that such should abate forthwith.

"It should be noted that confidentiality of sources is necessary for
good journalism to flourish and journalists should not be coerced into
revealing such sources.

"We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Samuel
Ogundipe and an end to all forms of impunity against the media."