Over the weekend, Umuahia witnessed a tense situation as police officers from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja attempted to arrest journalist Promise Uzoma Okoro. Okoro, who is the current Chairman of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) in Abia State, faced allegations of publishing defamatory material about an individual.

The officers reportedly planned to take him to Abuja without prior notice or formal invitation. However, their efforts were thwarted thanks to the timely intervention of the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, and members of OMPAN.

Speaking on Monday, Okoro expressed his shock at the situation, criticizing the officers for their unprofessional approach. He accused unnamed enemies of using the police to intimidate him.

“Police officers traveled from Abuja to arrest me over an alleged defamation case without even inviting me beforehand. Any attempt to use security agencies to intimidate me will fail,” he said.

He also revealed that he had recently survived a different type of attack, which he described as a spiritual attempt on his life.

Okoro thanked the Abia State Commissioner of Police and Police Spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, for their professionalism and adherence to legal procedures. He also warned against actions that could damage the working relationship between the media and the police.

In a show of solidarity, members of OMPAN in Abia State accompanied Okoro to the Abia State Police Command headquarters in Umuahia on Monday. There, they officially reported the conduct of the Abuja police officers.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges in the relationship between the media and law enforcement in Nigeria.