Officers of the Imo State Police Command raided the office of Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper, a local tabloid, and arrested its Deputy Editor, Martine Opara, along with several reporters.
According to the publisher and editor-in-chief, Precious Nwadike, the reason for the raid remains unclear. Initial statements from the Police Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, indicated no official report of the incident. However, he later confirmed that the newspaper staff were in the custody of the state’s Anti-Narcotics Unit.
Okoye declined to disclose the reasons behind the arrests but confirmed that those detained had been released.
The development has drawn criticism from journalists, who view the raid as an attack on press freedom. Owerri-based journalist Austin Agunonu described the police action as uncivil and disheartening, particularly given the media’s role in supporting law enforcement efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
Agunonu also expressed concern over the police’s growing practice of raiding homes and offices without issuing official invitations, a trend he described as alarming and unjustified.
The incident underscores rising tensions between law enforcement and the press, sparking calls for greater respect for journalistic freedom in Imo State.
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