The Proprietor of Abia Breaking News (ABN), an Umuahia-based online outfit, Mr Ifeanyi Okali, has cried out over the alleged police invasion of his TV/Radio station.
Okali alleged in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen on Wednesday that operatives of Abia Police Command invaded the station during a live programme by 2:40pm on Tuesday.
He stated that the operatives arrested a guest on the programme, “Youth Rendezvous”, one Mr Donald Udensi.
According to him, the police claimed that an elder brother of the guest, one Mr Uche Udensi, had written a petition against him over a family matter.
Okali, who is the Director of the outfit, maintained that the operatives decided to whisk their guest away while on a live programme, despite repeated pleas by the station’s staff members to them to wait for the programme to end before effecting the arrest.
He alleged that when he reached out to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kenechukukwu Onwuemelie, to intimate him about the development, “the operatives on duty barricaded the door, harassed, intimidated and threatened to detain his staff members, who were there on the CP’s invitation”.
The statement read in part: “We found this very provocative and indeed an act of overzealousness by the operatives, who obviously acted in clear contravention of the rule of engagement.
“It clearly also negates the enhanced police-civil relations, which CP Kene Onwuemeile has consistently campaigned for.
“We also want to put on record that during the gestapo arrest, many of our broadcast equipment were fatally damaged, including a laptop, camera and microphones.
“We find this as an attack on press freedom and an open violation of right to expression, having taken place during a live broadcast, where critical issues about youth development were being discussed.
“We demand an open apology from the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police over this unprovoked attack in our studio.
“It has equally left us with huge financial losses, following the damage of our equipment.
“We are also calling for the replacement of the affected tools.”
In a reaction, the Abia Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, stated that the command was investigating the situation in the video.
In a statement made available to newsmen, she stated: “Be rest assured that this situation will be properly handled and the right action will be taken.
“We urge the public to remain calm”.
