Madu Onuorah, an Abuja-based online publisher, was genuinely arrested and not abducted contrary to media reports.
The clarification was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of Enugu State Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe on Thursday.
There were earlier reports that Onuorah was abducted, with concerns about his safety raised.
According to Ndukwe, “The Enugu State Police Command is in receipt of several publications alleging the abduction of an Abuja-based online news publisher, one Madu Onuorah. The command wishes to state that contrary to the allegations, he was duly arrested in Abuja with the assistance of police operatives from Ebonyi State Command and the aid of intelligence, after efforts made to formally invite him failed.”
Ndukwe said his arrest was sequel to the receipt of a written petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, against him over an alleged defamatory publication he made against a US-based reverend sister.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the office handling the case to professionally investigate and ensure that justice prevailed.
He called on the press, particularly the leadership and members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and associates of the suspect, to exercise patience. He assured that the needful would be done in the case.