Executive Director of CLO, Mr Ibuchukwu Ezike, said the arrests showed that the country’s security agencies live in the past and did not work in consonance with the laws of the country.

“The illicit arrest of the four editors of The Nation Newspapers for alleged commission of act not recognized by our laws is not only unlawful, criminal and obnoxious but a clear case of gross violation of the rights of the victims.”

SERAP, on its part, petitioned Ms Pansy Tallulah, Commissioner and Special Reporter on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa over the “unlawful arrest and the continuing intimidation and harassment of The Nation editors and others working for the newspaper.”

SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, in the petition said, “We ask the Commissioner to urgently intervene to stop the Nigerian government from further intimidation and harassment of journalists working for one of Nigeria’s leading independent newspapers, and respect internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom in the country. The above illustrates the government intolerance of critical views, and its policy of attack against the media.”

Relatedly, ACN, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the harassment of journalists for no other reason than for carrying out their professional duties was a dangerous throwback to the past and blight on the country’s democratic credentials.