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It was also reported that the police authorities later confirmed the journalist's arrest and detention after activists, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and investigative journalist, David Hundeyin among others visited the police unit where he was being held.
The Nigeria Police Force has given reasons while the anonymous whistleblower, Isaac Bristol was arrested by the officials from the National Cybercrime Center.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday how Nigeria Police Force (NPF) subjected Bristol, a microblogger and leak journalist known popularly as @PIDOMNigeria, to inhuman treatment after he was picked on August 5, 2024.
It was also reported that the police authorities later confirmed the journalist's arrest and detention after activists, Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and investigative journalist, David Hundeyin among others visited the police unit where he was being held.
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The anonymous whistleblower on X.com, 99% Oppressed, and tweets as #PIDOMNIGERIA, was declared missing after his long absence from the digital space.
He was well known for exposing high-profile corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria, and has gone silent since August 5, 2024.
With over 200,000 followers, his prolonged absence sparked concerns among the Nigerian online community, prompting a trending campaign, #FreePidom, calling for his release.
The police said PIDOMNigeria was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State.
On Thursday, David Hundeyin reported PIDOMNigeria had been missing since August 5 after an associate of PIDOM contacted him.
Hundeyin’s com
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ment generated a massive outcry on social media, with a campaign launched to demand the whereabouts of PIDOMNigeria using hashtags like #PIDOM, #FreePidom, and #WhereisPidom, among others.
But in an official reaction on Saturday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that PIDOMNigeria was arrested for alleged unlawful possession, leakages of classified documents, and cyber-related offences.
Noting that there several allegations against PIDOM, Adejobi stated that the police are conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“In a well-coordinated effort, officials from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre apprehended Bristol Isaac Tamunobiefiri, also known as PIDOM, on allegations of committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations. The arrest took place on August 5, 2024, in his hotel room in Rivers State," the police spokesperson said.
“There are several allegations levelled against the suspect, including unlawful possession, leakages of classified documents, cyber-related offences, and others.
“We will do due diligence in carrying out a thorough investigation into the cases.
“The force will leave no stone unturned to continually enforce the law and bequeath to Nigerians a more secure nation," the statement partly read.
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