The ICIR believes this may be a ploy to detain them because they reported on an investigation that linked some former police bosses to a shady land deal.
The International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) is expressing concern over the detention of its Executive Director, Dayo Aiyetan, and reporter, Nurudeen Akewushola.
Aiyetan and Akewushola were invited to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCC) earlier today and have not been released as of this writing, over eight hours later.
The ICIR believes this may be a ploy to detain them because they reported on an investigation that linked some former police bosses to a shady land deal.
Unclear Charges and History of Dispute
The NPF-NCC initially invited Aiyetan and Akewushola for questioning in April related to allegations of cyberstalking and defamation of character and not legitimate criminal charges. The ICIR argued that the dates on the invitation letter were inconsistent and did not detail the specific complaint.
The ICIR is calling for the immediate release of their staff and urging the public to amplify the situation on social media.
Read the full release below: