Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested two journalists working with Agence France-Presse (AFP) while they were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja on Monday.

The detained journalists were identified as Nick Roll, an American reporter, and John Okunyomih, a Nigerian videographer. The duo were filming outside the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama when police officers began firing teargas at demonstrators.

Eyewitnesses said the journalists were accosted violently by police officers, who damaged their camera and confiscated their mobile phones during the scuffle. The officers also allegedly tore off the reporters’ teargas protection gear. While Roll was later released at the scene, Okunyomih was taken to the FCT Criminal Investigation Department (CID) before being freed hours later.

Also arrested during the unrest was Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lawyers representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Earlier, police reportedly fired teargas canisters at commuters around the Central Business District as protesters began to gather. The demonstration, organized by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, has drawn heavy security presence across the city.

#AbujaProtest #FreeNnamdiKanuNow #NigeriaPolice #PressFreedom