Police Raid on ABN TV During Live Show Sparks Outcry from Media Protection Group

The IPC’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has expressed deep concern and disapproval following reports of a police invasion at ABN TV during a live program titled “Youth Rendezvous” on Tuesday. The incident resulted in the forced arrest of a guest, Mr. Udensi Donald.

According to I-CSPJ’s field monitor, police officers stormed the station at approximately 2:40 pm, claiming to have a petition against Mr. Donald related to a family matter. Despite pleas from the station staff to allow the program to conclude before making the arrest, the officers insisted on taking action during the live broadcast.

Ifeanyi Okali, the Station’s Director, expressed frustration, stating, “The police claimed a senior brother of the guest had written a petition against him over a family matter. Despite repeated pleas by the staff to the officers to allow the programme to come to an end before the guest could be arrested, they insisted on whisking him away while the live programme was on.”

In response to the incident, Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, condemned the police’s actions as unnecessary overzealousness. He asserted that the officers could have waited for the conclusion of the live program before taking any action.

I-CSPJ is now urging Commissioner of Police, Kene Onwuemeile, to address and restrain his officers and ensure the replacement of damaged items belonging to the station resulting from the invasion.

The Guardian