Protest: We saved him from danger, FCT police say, deny journalist’s arrest
Protest: We saved him from danger, FCT police say, deny journalist’s arrest
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied the arrest of a photojournalist identified as Jide Oyekunle while covering the nationwide protest at Eagle Square in Abuja.
Oyekunle was reportedly arrested by the police while covering the nationwide protest without any genuine offence tagged to his arrest.
However, Dailyeconomy in a statement obtained on Thursday from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh stated that Oyekunle was taken away from a dangerous environment for his safety after being advised to leave where he was standing in a safer location and he refused.
Adeh wrote, “The FCT police command wishes to debunk the narrative making the rounds about the arrest of a photojournalist, Jide Oyekunle, in the ongoing protest taking place around the eagle square, Abuja.
“Mr Jide Oyekunle was rather taken away from the perceived unsafe environment for his own safety after being advised to leave where he was standing to a safer location and he declined, as some of the protesters had suddenly become violent.
“While the protest is ongoing, it remains the duty of the police to protect lives and property.”
Dailyeconomy on Monday, July 29, reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, lectured the Nigeria Police Force tactical commanders on professionalism and the rule of law compliance and has ordered strategic deployment of police forces across the nation.
