On October 20, 2025, police officers in Abuja arrested journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) while they were covering a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in the Nigerian capital. The journalists, John Okunyomih, a Nigerian videographer, and Nick Roll, an American reporter, were reporting near the Transcorp Hotel in Maitama when police dispersed protesters using tear gas.
According to media reports and eyewitness accounts, the journalists were filming events as police moved to disperse the crowd when officers accosted them. During the encounter, their camera was reportedly damaged, while their phones and protective gear were seized. The journalists were also briefly detained. Nick Roll was later released, while John Okunyomih was taken to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command Criminal Investigation Department and released later the same day.
At the time of reporting, the journalists’ phones had been returned, but their camera and other protective equipment had not yet been released. A police source was quoted as saying that the journalists should have notified the police of their presence at the protest.
In related developments, police also arrested Aloy Ejimakor, a lawyer representing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during the protest. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who helped mobilise the demonstration, confirmed the arrests and called for the release of those detained.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemns the assault, arrest, and harassment of journalists covering a public protest. MFWA calls on Nigerian authorities to promptly investigate the conduct of the officers involved, return all seized equipment, and ensure that journalists can carry out their professional duties safely and without intimidation.
