The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has condemned the unlawful arrest and assault of an Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist, John Okunyomih, by security operatives during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. The incident occurred near the Unity Fountain where Okunyomih was covering the demonstration demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, described the arrest and harassment as a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles. Okunyomih was reportedly manhandled by armed soldiers and policemen who dispersed the protesters, and his professional camera and other equipment were damaged.

Oyekunle demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Dantawaye Miller, to identify and sanction the officers responsible. The harassment of journalists performing their legitimate duty is unacceptable. Security agents must be reminded that journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in nation-building, the statement said.

Oyekunle further urged the authorities to replace the journalist’s damaged camera and other work tools, stressing that such compensation would serve as a deterrent against future attacks on media professionals. The NUJ FCT Council reiterated its call on security agencies to respect the rights of journalists to freely cover public events without intimidation, in line with constitutional guarantees and international press freedom standards.

While acknowledging Okunyomih’s release, Oyekunle demanded that his camera and other gadgets damaged by the police be replaced immediately. We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to call his officers to order and be civil in dealing with journalists performing their statutory duty, the statement concluded.