The Enugu State Police Command in Southeast Nigeria, has confirmed the arrest of Abuja-based online journalist, Madu Onuorah, on Wednesday, though the exact location of his custody remains unclear by late evening on Thursday.
Reports indicate that Onuorah was taken from his Abuja home in an abduction operation style by ten fully armed operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, in the presence of his wife and little children, cutting off all his communications since then.
Information later emerged on Thursday that the journalist was being transferred to the Ebonyi State Police Command, but turned out to be the Enugu State Police Command, after searches by colleagues and family members could not trace his whereabouts.
In a press statement released late Thursday, the Enugu State Command spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that contrary to abduction allegations, Madu was duly arrested in Abuja with the assistance of Ebonyi State Command operatives and intelligence efforts, following unsuccessful attempts to formally invite him.
Ndukwe further stated that the arrest was based on a written petition received by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, alleging that Madu made a defamatory publication against a US-based Reverend Sister.
However, the PPRO did not comment on Madu’s current whereabouts. When contacted by ait.live, he mentioned being away from the command headquarters all day and could not confirm if Onuorah had been brought to their command.
Over twenty four hours after being whisked off by the Police, the Nigerian journalist is yet to be released or charged to Court.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
