Detained Journalist Samuel Ogundipe Released From SARS Custody

Samuel Ogundipe, a journalist with Premium Times, who was arrested and detained by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, has been released.

He was released on Friday morning after he was granted bail by Abdulwahab Mohammed, the Magistrate of the Kubwa Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Abuja.

The judge granted a bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety, resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

Ogundipe was released after the bail conditions were met.

His arrest, which sparked outrage within and outside Nigeria, led to a protest, as Nigerians marched to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday to demand his release.

Although the Police fired tea-gas canisters at the protesters, who had to flee from the scene, they, however, regrouped and marched back to the Force Headquarters, insisting that he must be released.

His arrest, according to the Police, was premised on his refusal to disclose the source of his story on the memo of the Inspector General of Police to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).