One of the NewsNow photojournalists, Kayode Jaiyeola, who was recently abducted by officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser, is still waiting for the return of his camera, phones, and other belongings.
Jaiyeola was among the reporters covering a hunger protest at Eagles Square when he was forcibly taken by the NSA officials despite showing them his office identity card.
After being taken to the FCT police command and detained by the officials, Jaiyeola was not allowed to contact his office or family to inform them of his situation.
In his account, Jaiyeola described the incident as more of an abduction since his whereabouts were unknown, emphasizing that even in kidnapping cases, family members are usually informed.
Eventually, after the intervention of the FCT Nigerian Union of Journalists chairman, Jide Oyekunle, Jaiyeola managed to contact his office for help, leading to his release.
Despite his return, Jaiyeola has been unsuccessful in retrieving his belongings, as his attempts to reclaim his camera and phones have hit a dead end.
Efforts to communicate with the ONSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, have been futile, with unanswered calls and messages regarding the situation.
When approached, the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh disclosed that Jaiyeola was brought in by NSA officials but had been let go. However, he remained at the command as the police tried to assist him in recovering his phone and camera.
Adeh clarified that Jaiyeola was not arrested by the FCT police command but that they were aiding him in retrieving his seized belongings from the individuals who had brought him in.