Nigeria’s Security Agencies Under Tinubu Regime Unlawfully Arrest 17 Journalists, 87 Citizens In 2024

In 2024, Nigeria’s Security Agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), made headlines for all the wrong reasons, with a disturbing pattern of unlawful arrests that sparked outrage both locally and internationally.

From journalists and protesters to ordinary citizens and even minors, no demographic was exempted from the heavy-handed tactics of a police force increasingly criticised for its gross and blatant disregard for human rights.

As the year unfolded, the systemic abuse of power became a recurring theme in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

Journalists were targeted for daring to expose corruption and misconduct, and protesters demanding better governance faced violent crackdowns and prolonged detention. Even ordinary citizens, including children, were swept up in waves of arbitrary arrests.

West Africa Weekly gathered that at least 17 journalists and 87 citizens were unlawfully arrested in 2024.

The latest victim of these arbitrary arrests is Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, social critic and author of the book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

Farotimi was abducted by the NPF on December 3 and is being detained on allegations of “defamation”. His arrest came shortly after he raised alarm over police plot to abduct him, despite complying with their invitations.

His case has drawn widespread criticism as an example of judicial manipulation and a lack of due process.

As human rights organisations and concerned citizens continue to call for his release and systemic reforms, here are other notable cases of unlawful arrests by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in 2024 and under the Tinubu regime.

Press Repression – Journalists’ Illegal Arrests

In 2024, the Nigerian press faced relentless attacks and assaults, with at least 17 journalists unlawfully detained on dubious charges under the Cybercrime Act.

On February 21, Kasarahchi Aniagolu, a journalist reporting for The Whistler, was detained and assaulted by police in Abuja while covering a police raid. Her equipment was confiscated, and she was subjected to harassment and physical assault.

On March 15, barely a month after Aniagolu’s case, Segun Olatunji, a former editor of First News, was abducted from his Lagos home by armed men who identified themselves as military officers. His arrest followed a report in which he exposed an official working with the Nigeria Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for being nepotistic in allocating public contracts.

Following this, Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was arrested. The NPF seized Ojukwu on the streets of Lagos on May 1, two days before International Press Freedom Day. He was denied contact with his relatives and colleagues. He was then relocated to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, where he was held for over a week for allegedly violating the 2015 Cybercrime Act.

His case sparked widespread backlash over police disregard for press freedom. However, this would not be the end of it.

On the 11th of June, the NPF beat and unlawfully arrested Kaduna State correspondent of the Daily Times Newspaper Gabriel Idibia, for taking pictures of a road blockade caused by cattle.

On August 5, PIDOM, a prominent whistleblower, was detained for alleged breach of national security and cybercrime.

On August 25, Former BBC editor Adejuwon Soyinka was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) upon arrival at Lagos Airport. He was released after several hours, but his passport was confiscated.

In September, four more journalists—Precious Eze Chukwunonso (publisher of News Platform), Olurotimi Olawale (editor of National Monitor), Rowland Olonishuwa (reporter with Herald), and Seun Odunlami (publisher of Newsjaunts)—were arrested and charged under the Cybercrimes Act for reporting on alleged fraud involving a bank executive.

Most recently, in November, Fisayo Soyombo, Founder of FIJ, was detained by the Nigerian Army during an undercover investigation into oil bunkering. His arrest came months after he was declared wanted by the police in April after an investigation that exposed the existence of smuggling kingpins with links to the highest levels of the Nigerian customs and the presidency. He was released following public outcry.

Other journalists unlawfully arrested include; Lukman Bolakale (Satcom Media), Abdulrasaq Babatunde (Just Events Online publisher), Adisa-Jaji Azeez and Salihu Ayatullahi (Informant247), Godwin Tsa (Sun Newspaper), and Achadu Gabriel (Daybreak Newspaper).

Crackdown on Protesters and Minors

In August 2024, protests erupted across Nigeria in response to severe economic hardships and hunger. The NPF responded with mass arrests, detaining 76 protesters, including 32 minors, on charges of treason and inciting a military coup. They were arraigned on September 2, 2024, and demanded to pay ₦5 million in bail for their release.

Other Arbitrary Arrests

On January 9, West Africa Weekly reported that the NPF defied court orders, besieged and sought to re-arrest Chioma Okoli at her residence without a court order, over her review of  Nagiko tomato paste produced by Erisco Foods Limited.

On August 23, five civilians were arrested and detained by soldiers from 34 Brigade Artillery, Obinze Barracks, Owerri, Imo State, for undisclosed reasons.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) during a strike action, violating constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and association.

On October 30, 35-year-old Paul Gyenger was remanded at a custodial centre in Makurdi for allegedly calling the Benue State governor a womaniser.

Likewise, Hamdiya Sidi was arrested for allegedly “embarrassing” the Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu, on social media. Sidi had in a video criticised the state government over insecurity in the state. She had also demanded an end to the incessant killings in the state by gunmen. However, she was secretly arraigned by the state without having access to a lawyer or family members.

It will be recalled that a 26-year-old photographer simply identified as ‘Nicholas’ was only recently released from a Keffi prison after spending 10 months in detention following his arrest over a resignation text message he sent to his boss, Oluwole Mike, a politician with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

It should be noted that many such cases go unreported, as not only the NPF but also the Nigerian army and DSS, have consistently been used as a tool by influential people to oppress, intimidate and grossly violate the rights of ordinary citizens through unjust and unlawful detention.

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About The Author

Joy Chukwu

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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