On Tuesday, the Abia State Police Command reportedly invaded ABN TV, a prominent television station in Umuahia City, Nigeria, and forcibly arrested a guest, Udensi Donald, during a live program. The Director of ABN TV/Radio, Ifeanyi Okali, conveyed this incident in a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
Okali revealed that the police justified the arrest by citing a petition filed by the guest’s senior brother, Uche Onwuka Udensi, concerning a family matter. During the invasion, Okali claimed that some items belonging to the station were damaged and demanded an apology from the state police command.
Describing the invasion as a provocation against press freedom and human rights, Okali criticized the actions of the police officers as overzealous and in clear contravention of the rules of engagement.
“We are troubled by the invasion of our broadcast station in Umuahia by officers of the Nigerian Police, Umuahia Area Command in Abia State,” Okali expressed in his statement.
The incident occurred around 2:40 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, during a live program called “Youth Rendezvous.” Despite repeated pleas from ABN TV staff to allow the program to conclude before making the arrest, the police insisted on apprehending Mr. Udensi Donald immediately.
Okali emphasized that such actions by the police contradicted the enhanced police-civil relations advocated by the Commissioner of Police, CP Kene Onwuemeile.
