The Imo council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the arrest of newspaper vendors and distributors in Owerri on Monday, May 10.
The union in a statement jointly issued by the union’s Chairman, Mr Chris Akaronye and Secretary, Juliet Dim, to newsmen on Tuesday in Owerri.described as “gestapo” the manner of arrest of the vendors and distributors
The NUJ said its investigation had revealed that the Police Command in the state and the Directorate of State Services (DSS) had no prior knowledge of the arrests.
It described as embarrassing, the idea of invading a state and making arrests without consultation of relevant security agencies, as well as the State Government.
The union called on the relevant agencies of government to investigate the circumstances surrounding such arrests, purportedly carried out by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police.
It added that the tension in Imo should be quelled, rather than aggravated, at a time when residents were grappling with series of attacks, by unknown gunmen.
The statement assured that the arrested persons had been released and called on media workers and ancillary service providers in the state, to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.
“The NUJ wishes to advise that the extant laws of the nation have enough and sufficient laws to take care of any infraction, with regards to publications that are likely to breach public peace and security.
“Such perceived infractions should equally be properly handled by courts of competent jurisdiction and not resorting to a gestapo style of invasion and arrest, as if the nation is under a military junta.
“We wish to state that the leadership of the NUJ in collaboration with the State Commissioner for Information, the Police, DSS and the leadership of Newspaper Publishers, have secured the release of those arrested,” it said.
