By Ibrahim Salaudeen Lagos,
Nurudeen Adegbenro, a journalist with Mainland 98.3 FM Lagos, has been whisked away on Wednesday morning from his Agege residence by seven armed men believed to be security operatives.
Adegbenro was taken away at about 6:14 am by the armed men who claimed they were operatives from the Alagbon Police Command in Lagos.
The men barely waited for the journalist to finish his morning prayer at a nearby mosque before seizing and taking him away.
However, Mainland FM radio station has confirmed the arrest, stating its courageous staf, Adegbenro, was arrested and detained on allegations of cyberbullying.
The station called for his release, lamenting that Adegbenro’s situation highlights the ongoing threats facing media professionals in Nigeria who dare to speak truth to power.
Here is the statement
FREE NURUDEEN NOW!
“We have just confirmed that our brave colleague, Nurudeen Adegbenro, who was arrested and detained by the Police on the allegations of cyberbullying.
This surprising action against a dedicated journalist highlights the ongoing threats facing media professionals who dare to speak truth to power.
We are calling for his immediate release and standing firm against all forms of bullying and intimidation targeted at journalists. Everyone deserves the right to express their views without fear of retribution.
Let’s unite for the protection of press freedom and the safety of those who work tirelessly to inform and empower our communities.
#FreeNurudeen
#PressFreedom
#JournalismIsNotACrime”
Efforts are still on to get the reaction of the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, but the efforts have not been successful as of the time of filing this report.
