Civil society organizations and journalists gathered at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday to demand the release of Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist detained by the Nigerian police.

The protesters, including prominent figures such as legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju and pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore, voiced their discontent over Ojukwu’s detention, emphasizing the importance of press freedom.

With banners bearing messages like ‘Free Daniel Ojukwu’ and ‘Stop the impunity,’ the demonstrators conveyed their unwavering support for Ojukwu and denounced what they perceived as an attack on journalism.

Ojukwu’s ordeal began on May 1 when he mysteriously went missing after publishing a critical report.

Despite efforts by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, where Ojukwu works, to file a missing person report, his whereabouts remained unknown until he was discovered to be in police custody.

According to the founder of FIJ, Fisayo Soyombo, Ojukwu was detained over a report he published in November, alleging financial misconduct by a government official. Despite meeting bail conditions, the police have kept him in custody.

The continued detention of Ojukwu has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who view it as a blatant violation of press freedom.

The head of the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Africa program, Angela Quintal, condemned the authorities’ treatment of journalists, saying “Nigerian authorities must promptly and unconditionally release journalist Daniel Ojukwu and stop harassing and detaining journalists who publish investigative reports into corruption.”

“Just over six weeks ago, more than a dozen armed military men took another journalist, Segun Olatunji, from his home without explanation. In this latest case, Daniel Ojukwu was missing for 48 hours before his media outlet discovered that he was in police custody. This is no way to treat journalists who are performing a public service.”