The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has strongly criticized the unlawful arrest and physical assault of Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist, Mr. John Okunyomih, by security personnel during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025, the Council’s Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, described the incident as “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democratic principles.”
Reports revealed that Okunyomih was assaulted by armed soldiers and policemen deployed to disperse demonstrators calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. His professional camera and other tools were also destroyed while he covered the protest near the Unity Fountain.
The NUJ demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Dantawaye Miller, to identify and punish the officers involved.
“The harassment of journalists performing their legitimate duty is unacceptable. Security agents must be reminded that journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in nation-building,” the statement read.
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The Council also called on authorities to replace Okunyomih’s damaged camera and equipment, stressing that such restitution would discourage future assaults on journalists.
Reaffirming its position, the NUJ emphasized the need for security agencies to respect the constitutional and international rights of journalists to cover public events without intimidation.
“While we acknowledge that he has been released, we demand that his camera and other gadgets that were damaged by the gun toting armed policemen be replaced with immediate effect.
“We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to call his officers to order and be civil in dealing with journalists performing their statutory duty,” the statement concluded.