Nigerian Guild of Editors Demands Release of Detained Investigative Journalist, Ojukwu

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has demanded the release of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu, who was detained last week, according to a report by Vanguard News. Ojukwu, an employee of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been in custody since his arrest on November 8, 2026. The Guild, an association of senior editors in Nigeria, condemned the arrest and detention of Ojukwu, and called for his immediate release on bail. The Guild also demanded a review of the criminal charges against Ojukwu and the FIJ’s founder, Fisayo Soyombo, warning that the prosecution could have a chilling effect on the media industry in Nigeria. The exact nature of the charges against Ojukwu and Soyombo is not yet clear, but the Guild expressed concern that the charges could be politically motivated. The arrest of Ojukwu comes amidst growing concerns about press freedom in Nigeria, with several journalists and media outlets facing harassment, intimidation, and prosecution in recent years. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with at least 12 journalists killed in the line of duty since 1992. The Guild’s demand for Ojukwu’s release is a clear signal that the media industry in Nigeria is watching closely and will not tolerate the suppression of free speech and the intimidation of journalists.