Some Facebook users were angry on Tuesday following the display of some pictures of Timothy Elombah, a journalist with Elombah.com, an online platform, in handcuffs.
The images were released on the Facebook page of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) had invaded the Anambra residence of Daniel, publisher of the platform in the wee hours of Monday and whisked him away alongside his brother, who also works at Elombah.com.
The publisher was later released but told not to travel outside Abuja.
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The police said an area court of justice in Abuja had given it a period of seven days to remand the journalist whose offence was not stated.
There are reports that it is as a result of an article published on the platform.
“In the matter of an application by commissioner of police for an order of the honourable court to remand the respondent’s in prison custody for a period of 14 days pending the completion of police investigation and filing a former charge,” the police wrote.
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“However, the judge granted only seven (7) days to the police to complete their investigations and file a former charge on the 9th January 2018.”
Some people described the arrest as an attempt to gag the press.
One Olakunle Adeniyi wrote: “This person is not a robber, but a news editor, arrested for an article arthoured by a guest on his platform, of which the Inspector General of Police is prosecuting him. The opinion article was published by many online platforms, but why was his case different?”
Nsikak Udo said: “It’s a disgrace to the Nigerian police if this boy was arrested from Anambra and brought to Abuja on short knickers and you are remanding him to look for an offence to tag him. I pity our country.”
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“This is very wrong! His offence (s) not stated and yet his face is exposed. Why!!!” Ebhomenye Amos said.
The comments have been pouring in.
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