The Ebonyi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists was in the early hours of Saturday thrown into confusion as its Chairman, Comrade Tony Nwizi, was arrested by operatives from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, purportedly on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The number one journalist in Ebonyi, following vague information available at the time of this report, was said to have been arrested as a result of an undisclosed petition against him from yet to be known quarters.
When contacted over the disturbing development, spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Loveth Odah, said she could not precisely say the location the policemen came from.
Odah, however, noted that some policemen came into Ebonyi State on Friday from the Anti-Kidnaping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, requesting for endorsement to enable them effect an arrest.
Odah further noted that it was not clear whether they came for Nwizi as visiting policemen do not disclose the identity of their target.
“I know some Policemen came into Ebonyi yesterday from Anti-Kidnaping Unit of Lagos State Police Command. They wanted their papers to be signed, so that an arrest can be effected," she said.
Additionally, she said, “We are still on the matter, in order to confirm if he was the one that they came for.
“The identity of who ever they came for is not usually disclosed.”
The NUJ said on press statement Saturday: “Nwizi is a perfect gentleman and we wonder why the Police could order his arrest at this time.
“At this time, nobody can completely state the location of Comrade Tony Nwizi, the content of the petition and the allegations leveled against him.
“We are very sure he will be released. Tony is one of the most reliable persons to deal with.”
Meanwhile, a cross section of the Journalists in the State have decried the arrest, describing it as both panicky and embarrassing, especially as there was no known crisis within the Council in particular and the State in general involving the Chairman.
They called on the Police to ensure the safety of the journalist who they unanimously described as a peaceful man with admirable attributes.
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