Men from the Abia State Police Command reportedly raided ABN TV in Umuahia City in Nigeria on Tuesday, forcefully apprehending Mr. Udensi Donald during a live episode of the program “Youth Rendezvous,” hosted by Grace Onyekachi.
Ifeanyi Okali, the Director of ABN TV/Radio, disclosed this incident in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, denouncing the invasion as a threat to press freedom and human rights.
“We are troubled by the invasion of our broadcast station in Umuahia by officers of the Nigerian Police, Umuahia Area Command in Abia State,” Okali expressed.
According to Okali, the police justified their actions by claiming that a petition had been filed against the guest, Mr. Udensi Donald, by his senior brother, Mr. Uche Onwuka Udensi, regarding a family matter.
The incident occurred around 2:40 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, and despite pleas from ABN TV staff to allow the live program to conclude before making the arrest, the police insisted on apprehending Mr. Udensi Donald immediately.
“We find this very provocative and indeed an act of overzealousness by the officers who obviously acted in clear contravention of the rules of engagement,” Okali remarked.
