Jide Oyekunle, who serves as the correspondence for Abuja chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), had his mobile phone seized by police officers while covering the ongoing protests at Federal Secretariat/Eagle Square in Abuja.
In a Video Clip posted by @TheCable, Oyekunle who also serves as the correspondence with Daily Independent Newspaper was documenting the demonstration when the incident occurred.
Oyekunle claims that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, personally seized his phone and instructed police officers to arrest journalists present at the scene.
This action has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the treatment of media professionals during the unrest.
The seizure and subsequent orders for arrest come amid a broader crackdown on media coverage of the protests, which have been marked by increasing tensions and heavy-handed responses from security forces.
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The incident underscores the challenging environment for journalists as they report on the ongoing demonstrations.
The protests, demanding better governance and economic reform, have seen heightened scrutiny and interference with journalists, highlighting the broader issues surrounding freedom of the press in Nigeria.
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