Police Bow To Pressure, Release Journalist Kasarahchi As THE WHISTLER Demands Investigation, Apology

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday night, bowed to pressure and released a reporter with THE WHISTLER, Ms Kasarahchi Aniagolu after detaining her for over eight hours.

Ms Aniagolu was arrested by an unknown unit of the police for filming a raid on Bureau de Change (BDC) operators at the Wuse Zone 4 area of the FCT.

She was further assaulted and detained by the operatives at the Anti-Criminal Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in Guzape.

Despite identifying herself as a journalist, the reporter was paraded alongside over 95 BDC operators at the FCT Anti-Criminal Unit.

In a statement released by THE WHISTLER management on Thursday, the organisation demanded an apology from the Nigeria Police Force and a thorough investigation into the matter.

The statement reads, “THE WHISTLER is pleased to announce the release of our journalist, Kasarahchi Aniagolu, who was unlawfully arrested and detained by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on February 21, 2024.

“Ms. Aniagolu was unjustly arrested while documenting a raid on Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in Abuja and endured unwarranted assault and intimidation during her detention.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of media outlets, human rights organizations, and concerned individuals who amplified the injustice of her arrest, Ms. Aniagolu was released on Wednesday night after approximately 8 hours of illegal detention at the Anti-Violence Crime Unit of the Nigerian Police Force in Guzape, Abuja.

“While we acknowledge Ms. Aniagolu’s freedom as a positive development, THE WHISTLER remains deeply troubled by the circumstances leading to her arrest and detention while doing her job as a journalist.

“We reiterate our call for a thorough investigation into the incident, encompassing the arrest, detention, harassment, excessive use of force and the confiscation of Ms. Aniagolu’s equipment.

“Furthermore, we demand an unreserved public apology from the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for this egregious violation of press freedom and the fundamental human rights of Ms. Aniagolu.

“We call on The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and to implement measures preventing similar transgressions against journalists performing their lawful duties.

“A robust and free press is indispensable for the sustenance of democracy, and any encroachment on the rights of journalists constitutes an assault on the public’s right to access information.”